Category: Nigerian Tribune

Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Friday said the support of Nigerians for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government security measures is critical to the nation’s economic growth.

He maintained that various reforms being implemented by the government to reposition the economy, which are already yielding results, could only have more impact on the citizenry with effective security of the country.

A statement by Igboho’s media office quoted the Yoruba nation agitator to have made this disclosure during the launch of Iru Ekun Security Network in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti.

He underscored the need for all regardless of political, religious and ethnic colouration to support security agencies through credible information to dislodge criminal elements in any part of Nigeria, most especially in the South West.

Speaking at the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Igboho said ‘the current infrastructural facelift in South West and other regions, most especially roads network and economic reforms which are ingredients for overall development can only be explored for the betterment of Nigerians by restoration of effective security and safety of all communities.

The statement reads further, ‘Therefore, our conventional security agencies currently being supported by local security initiatives like Iru Ekun should be encouraged and motivated to further tackle criminality in the society.

‘We are committed to eradicating banditry, kidnappers, and other hoodlums constituting a threat to peace, safety, and tranquility of Yorubaland. The era of bandits killing Yoruba Obas is over. We would not tolerate the abduction or killing of our people in the South West.

‘Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ends his second term, Nigeria’s security would have been watertight to speed up the socioeconomic growth of our nation.

‘We don’t want to see any bandits or hoodlums in whatever guise in our farms and forest reserve. That was our plea to Yoruba traditional rulers, and they have made our position known to Mr President. This informed the approval granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of Iru Ekun Security Network.

‘If there are reports of attack or security breach in our farms and villages, our revered traditional rulers should contact Iru Ekun for necessary action. We will not tolerate any ambush of our people again.

‘We want to go back to peace and security of the olden days when our father could decide to travel to anywhere in Yorubaland without any fear of attack or threat. It is possible and we are going to restore such hope and confidence in a safer environment for all.’

Recalling past incidents of abduction in some parts of Oyo State, Igboho explained that ‘there was a case of one elderly man we recently rescued in Okeho, Oyo State. The man, who is a farmer, had only N8,000 on him when he was kidnapped, and he was eating wara, a local snack, when they seized him. The hoodlums demanded N10 million ransom.

‘There was another case of a woman and child abducted in Iwere Ile, where her kidnappers demanded N200 million ransom. Her husband had been a victim of kidnapping before the incident, and he paid N60 million before he was released. While rescuing the woman, one of our Iru Ekun personnel was killed.

‘This time around we squaring up with bandits and kidnappers. We won’t take it easy with criminals until we conquer them. We believe that with the prayers of our traditional rulers, we will win these battles, ‘he was quoted to have stated.

In her remark, the Regent of Iworoko Ekiti, Princess Bolanle Adenike Ogundola, appealed to all Yoruba indigenes to support Iru Ekun Security Network for our own protection and peace, stressing that ‘as a race, Yoruba should exhibit love and develop more interest in the progress of our tribe.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said Nigerians should not pay more for petroleum products because the Federal Government has failed to secure the country’s borders against smuggling.

Makinde stated this in his newsletter on Thursday while weighing in on the debate over fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 elections.

He questioned the way Nigeria’s petroleum pricing debate has been presented, saying the government should focus on securing its borders instead of making Nigerians pay more for petrol.

‘We should also reject the argument that Nigerians must pay more for petroleum products simply to eliminate the price difference that makes smuggling into neighbouring countries profitable,’ Makinde said.

‘Nigerians should not be made to bear the cost of government’s inability to secure its borders,’ he added.

According to him, the debate should not be limited to whether fuel subsidy should return or remain removed.

‘For years, the debate in Nigeria has largely been presented as a choice between subsidising petroleum products or allowing Nigerians to pay the full market price. I believe we are asking the wrong question. The more important question is: what is the right pricing framework for an oil-producing country like Nigeria?’

Makinde said Nigerians should have access to information on how the price of petrol is determined.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said Nigerians should not pay more for petroleum products because the Federal Government has failed to secure the country’s borders against smuggling.

Makinde stated this in his newsletter on Thursday while weighing in on the debate over fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 elections.

He questioned the way Nigeria’s petroleum pricing debate has been presented, saying the government should focus on securing its borders instead of making Nigerians pay more for petrol.

‘We should also reject the argument that Nigerians must pay more for petroleum products simply to eliminate the price difference that makes smuggling into neighbouring countries profitable,’ Makinde said.

‘Nigerians should not be made to bear the cost of government’s inability to secure its borders,’ he added.

According to him, the debate should not be limited to whether fuel subsidy should return or remain removed.

‘For years, the debate in Nigeria has largely been presented as a choice between subsidising petroleum products or allowing Nigerians to pay the full market price. I believe we are asking the wrong question. The more important question is: what is the right pricing framework for an oil-producing country like Nigeria?’

Makinde said Nigerians should have access to information on how the price of petrol is determined.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, has called for stronger linkages between education, skills acquisition and employment opportunities to address the growing challenge of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

The call was made on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during a pre-summit dialogue ahead of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32).

The virtual dialogue, themed ‘The Missing Link: From Learning to Earning,’ brought together stakeholders from the education, technology, philanthropy, entrepreneurship and youth development sectors to examine the barriers preventing young Nigerians from converting education and skills into sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the engagement, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, said the dialogue was aimed at laying the groundwork for a focused and implementable agenda capable of moving Nigeria from identifying challenges to delivering practical solutions.

Ibekwe urged stakeholders to sustain the conversation around building an economy capable of creating jobs, improving productivity and delivering shared prosperity.

In her special remarks, Director of Education Planning, Research and Development at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Obianuju Anigbogu, stressed the importance of strengthening education planning, research and development as foundations for building a productive and future-ready workforce.

She called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure that education policies and interventions translate into meaningful outcomes for learners and the wider economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr Abubakar Sulaiman, said the capabilities needed to drive productivity and economic growth must be developed from the school system.

Sulaiman advocated a shift from an education pipeline focused primarily on certificates to an ecosystem that develops capability, productivity and opportunity.

He said graduates should acquire transferable skills that enable them to function effectively across industries, regardless of their fields of study.

According to him, graduates of disciplines such as History, English or Physics should leave school with a meaningful component of workplace-relevant skills that can enable them to contribute productively to the economy.

He added that developing an adaptable workforce capable of responding to changing industry demands was essential to strengthening the relationship between education, employment and economic productivity.

During the panel discussion, Director of Research, Innovation and Information Technology at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Lawal Mohammed Faruk, represented by Assistant Director, Research, Planning and Administration, Dr Ezinne Orisakwe, called for effective systems to track graduates and out-of-school young people.

Orisakwe said reliable data on the transition from education to employment would enable policymakers to better understand the challenges confronting young people and design responsive interventions.

She also called for stronger policy coordination and urgent capital investment to address the growing number of graduates and skilled Nigerians seeking employment.

Similarly, Director of Programmes and Coordination at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Oyindamola Egbeyemi, said skills development programmes must respond directly to labour-market demands.

She stressed that such programmes should go beyond training and certification to create measurable pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, productivity and improved livelihoods.

Other panellists, including Managing Partner of FATE Africa, Femi Taiwo, and Ibekwe, highlighted structural and practical barriers limiting young Nigerians’ ability to turn education and acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.

The dialogue emphasised that bridging the gap between learning and earning requires more than expanding access to education. It requires an education and skills ecosystem that equips young Nigerians with relevant, adaptable and marketable capabilities while creating clear pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and productive economic participation.

The engagement forms part of consultations ahead of NES#32, which will focus on practical measures to build an economy that creates opportunities, raises productivity and delivers shared prosperity.

THE decision by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to approach the Federal High Court over the possibility of suspending the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election is one that deserves careful consideration-and, indeed, applause. At a time when actions involving opposition figures are easily viewed through partisan lenses, Ajayi has demonstrated something often missing in public administration: institutional restraint. More importantly, he has placed a politically sensitive question before the court rather than attempting to resolve it through administrative discretion alone. The request to pause the proceedings should not be mistaken for weakness, political favouritism or an attempt to place anyone above the law. On the contrary, it reflects an understanding that the rule of law also requires fairness, proportionality and respect for the democratic process.

The DSS is not asking the court to terminate the case. Nor is it asking the court to determine Sowore’s innocence or guilt. It is asking the court to consider whether continuing the prosecution during an election period could unnecessarily complicate the democratic process. That distinction is fundamental. Sowore, like every other Nigerian, remains subject to the law. A presidential candidacy does not confer immunity from criminal prosecution, just as an allegation does not amount to a conviction. If the court approves a postponement, the allegations do not disappear. The prosecution can resume after the election, allowing the legal process to proceed without creating avoidable controversy around a presidential candidate at a particularly sensitive political moment. This distinction matters because the credibility of the proposal rests on the fact that it neither extinguishes the case nor predetermines its outcome. It merely asks the judiciary to consider whether timing, in the peculiar circumstances of an electoral contest, warrants a temporary adjustment to the proceedings.

This is precisely where Ajayi’s approach deserves commendation.

Security agencies wield enormous powers, and the manner in which those powers are exercised matters greatly. An institution that knows when to act firmly and when to exercise restraint demonstrates confidence in its own professionalism. The exercise of power is ultimately judged not only by what an institution can do, but by whether it knows the limits of what it should do. The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA), in commending the DSS leadership, described the decision as consistent with democratic principles, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of elections. That assessment deserves attention. Nigeria’s democracy does not only depend on elections taking place; it also depends on citizens believing that institutions are not being used to influence electoral outcomes. That confidence can be fragile, particularly when a candidate challenging the political establishment is simultaneously facing prosecution by a security agency. Even where the prosecution is entirely lawful, its timing can become a subject of political contestation.

By placing the matter before the Federal High Court, Ajayi has allowed the judiciary to determine the appropriate course of action. That is a significant point. Rather than unilaterally making a politically sensitive decision, the DSS is seeking judicial guidance. The court remains free to accept, reject or modify the request on the basis of the law and the facts before it. That is how institutional restraint should work in a constitutional democracy. Ajayi’s record, as highlighted by the FDA, also provides useful context. Since assuming office in August 2024, he has been credited with efforts to strengthen due process within the service, including the release of persons allegedly detained in error and compensation for affected individuals. At the same time, the DSS under his leadership has continued to perform its core national-security responsibilities, including operations against terrorism and insurgency and the arrest and prosecution of high-profile suspects.

These two dimensions should not be presented as mutually exclusive. A security service does not become less effective because it respects due process. If anything, a professional security institution should be capable of combining operational effectiveness with a disciplined regard for the law. This combination of firmness on security and restraint where democratic sensitivities are involved is precisely what Nigerians should expect from a modern security institution. There is sometimes a mistaken assumption that a strong security agency must always be seen taking the toughest possible position. But strength is not measured solely by arrests, prosecutions or enforcement actions. Sometimes, the greater demonstration of institutional strength is knowing when restraint serves the national interest better. That appears to be the thinking behind the Ajayi initiative. There is, however, an important caveat. Institutional restraint should not become selective restraint. The credibility of this approach will ultimately depend on whether the same principle can be applied impartially, regardless of the identity, popularity or political affiliation of the person involved.

The 2027 elections will be an important test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Political parties will compete vigorously, candidates will make competing claims and public institutions will inevitably come under scrutiny.

In such an environment, every effort to reduce unnecessary institutional tension should be welcomed, provided it remains firmly anchored in law. The judiciary, rather than the DSS or any political actor, must have the final say on whether the proposed postponement is legally and procedurally justified.

The proposed pause in Sowore’s prosecution can therefore be viewed as an attempt to protect the credibility of the electoral process without compromising the justice system.

It is also important to stress that the decision does not create a special legal status for Sowore. It establishes no permanent immunity and does not erase the case. It simply creates the possibility of allowing the election to take place without an ongoing prosecution becoming an additional source of political controversy. That is a reasonable question for the DSS to place before the court. Whether it is the right remedy is properly a matter for the court to decide.

Indeed, the principle should be bigger than any individual or political party. If Nigeria is serious about building institutions that command public confidence, security agencies must be prepared to demonstrate impartiality, professionalism and respect for judicial authority regardless of the political identity of the person involved. Ajayi’s approach offers an example of how this can be done.

It is worth stressing this because the real value of the episode should not be reduced to whether one candidate benefits from a postponement. The more consequential question is whether Nigeria’s institutions are learning to manage politically sensitive cases in ways that protect both the integrity of the law and public confidence in the democratic process.

The DSS must remain tough against terrorism, violent extremism, threats to national security and other criminal activities. But that firmness must coexist with respect for constitutional rights and democratic institutions. That balance is not a contradiction. It is the hallmark of responsible security leadership.

For that reason, the FDA’s commendation of Ajayi is understandable. His decision to seek judicial consideration rather than simply allowing a politically sensitive prosecution to become another flashpoint demonstrates an appreciation of the bigger picture.

It also sends an important institutional message: that the DSS recognises that its authority is exercised within a constitutional order, not above it.

In the end, democracy is strengthened not only by the enforcement of laws but also by the responsible exercise of institutional power.

The DSS under Ajayi appears to be demonstrating that restraint can be a sign of strength, not weakness. And if that restraint is consistently applied, transparently justified and firmly anchored in law, the DSS leadership deserves applause.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former Secretary of the Oluyole Local Government, Adedokun Adegboyega, alongside his political followers, has defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The defectors were received at the residence of the executive chairman of the council, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, on Wednesday, August 2.

The defectors include: Mr Akindele Tajudeen, popularly known as Oji; Alhaji Lateef Oladoja; Alfa Morounfolu Isiaka Lasisi, Mr. Ganiyu Olayiwola; Comrades Odunlami Olanrewaju; Akeem Atilola Kehinde; Olusegun Odetayo; and Owolabi Tirimisiyu Ishola, all across different wards in the council.

Adegboyega, a former political ally of the member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, was received into the APM fold alongside the APC Ward 9 Chairman, Akindele Tajudeen, popularly known as Orji, and other members of his political camp.

Tajudeen, who resigned his position as the APC Ward 9 Chairman before joining the APM, was said to have followed Adegboyega, his political leader, into the new political platform.

The development according to the Olatunji, is another major boost for the APM in Oluyole federal constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, coming amid efforts by the party to expand its grassroots structure across the local government.

Receiving the defectors, the Oluyole APM Chairman, Hon. Nasiru Hamzat, welcomed Adegboyega, Tajudeen and their supporters into the party.

He described their decision as a demonstration of confidence in the APM’s political direction under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, as well as the grassroots dominance of the APM.

In his brief remark, the LG chairman, Akeem Olatunji, described the defection as a testament to the soaring popularity of the APM in Oluyole federal constituency and Oyo State at large.

Olatunji described Alhaji Adegboyega as one of the pillars of APC in Oluyole and a strong grassroots mobilizer whose political experience and support base will in no small measure increase the chances of the APM in Oluyole towards a landslide electoral victory across all elective offices.

‘Our political net has really caught a big fish, and we’re very happy about it. This is a clear testament to the vision and results of good governance under the Makinde-led government.

‘We want to assure the new defectors to freely move around and mix with others within the party without any reservation. This is an all-inclusive party where we are all equal in one big political family.

‘This defection now adds to the growing political activities of our party in Oluyole, where the APM has continued to strengthen its ward structures and woo prominent political actors ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘ We have also positioned the party as a major political force in the local government, with our leaders intensifying consultations, grassroots mobilisation and engagements with political stakeholders across the various wards.

‘The movement of Alhaji Adegboyega and his camp from the APC to the APM is therefore expected to further enforce our strength as we begin to consolidate our structure ahead of the 2027 polls, Olatunji said.

Also present were the party’s Oluyole chairmanship candidate, Hon. Popoola Olaide Settle, and his running mate, Hon. Taofeek Ogunrinde.

Also present were former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Ayuba Balogun; Alhaji Adegbola Mukaila; Hon. Kehinde Abore; Hon. Wahab Kazeem, popularly known as LASKAZ; and Pastor Remi Adedapo, pioneer Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oluyole Local Government.

Others included former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Salawu; Engr. Sola Shofowora; Alhaji Yisau Kobomoje; Baba Alado; and Alhaji Wasiu Arewa.

The event was also attended by all APM ward chairmen and the party’s councillorship candidates across Oluyole Local Government.

Reacting, Adegboyega pledged his commitment to the APM and promised to mobilise his political structure and supporters for the success of the party at the grassroots.

THE Presidency has reacted to conflicting reports on the pending suits before Judge Beryl A. Howell of the United States District Court on the civil records-disclosure dispute under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and an American transparency activist, Mr Aaron Greenspan, seeking records relating to President Tinubu between 1992 and 1993 in the custody of the FBI.

Amidst alleged disclosure and release of redacted documents which found Tinubu guilty of criminal wrongdoing in forfeiture of $46,000 to the United States Government, the Presidency dismissed the report as unfounded as it maintained that no criminal liability was established against President Tinubu.

Checks revealed that an online platform had claimed that the FBI had officially acknowledged that President Tinubu was the subject of a criminal investigation for drug trafficking crimes in the US in early 1990s.

Setting the records straight in a statement on Thursday titled ‘Clarification on the ongoing Freedom of Information Act Case in Washington, DC.’

Bayo Onanuga,

Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, declared that the case before the court concerns access to government records and the proper application of statutory exemptions.

‘For clarity, the matter is a civil records-disclosure dispute under the United States Freedom of Information Act. It is not a criminal case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nor has the court found him guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.’

The Presidency which recalled that 23 years ago, the FBI issued Tinubu ‘a clean bill of health’, as it ‘records check found no criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ noted that the ongoing litigations arising from Mr Greenspan is the insistence by the FBI to apply the contentious Glomar defence which allows the US agencies to shield certain documents or information from public disclosure.

Onanuga, who revealed Nigeria’s president’s role as an intervenor in the court proceedings, maintained that the ongoing ‘litigation is a civil records-disclosure dispute under FOIA. It does not constitute a criminal charge, trial, or judicial finding against President Tinubu. The FBI and DEA have produced records with redactions, and the remaining question is whether those redactions are lawful.’

The statement read: ‘The Presidency has noted recent speculative reports concerning an ongoing Freedom of Information Act case before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

‘For clarity, the matter is a civil records-disclosure dispute under the United States Freedom of Information Act. It is not a criminal case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nor has the court found him guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.

‘Here is the background to the case, which comes 23 years after the American Consulate in Lagos, in a letter dated February 4, 2003, informed the then Inspector General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, that an FBI records check found no criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In 2022, Mr Aaron Greenspan, who is known to work with Nigerian opposition figures including David Hundeyin and Atiku Abubakar, submitted FOIA requests to several United States government agencies seeking records relating to President Tinubu. After the agencies withheld certain records or declined to confirm or deny their existence, Mr Greenspan commenced Civil Action No. 23-1816 before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in 2023.

‘The court subsequently permitted President Tinubu to participate in the proceedings as an intervenor.

‘During the proceedings, the Defendants asserted the ‘Glomar defence, a standard defence that US law enforcement agencies invoke from time to time. It simply means the government agency is not ‘in a position to deny or admit’ the existence of an investigation. It protects government personnel and the techniques and sources law enforcement agencies use to investigate and prosecute crimes.

‘Based on the invocation of this defence, the United States District Court granted summary judgment in favour of the CIA, EOUSA, Department of State, Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It ruled that they be removed from the proceedings, leaving aspects of the claims involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration for further consideration.

‘In compliance with the court’s orders, the FBI and DEA produced 399 pages of records, with portions redacted under exemptions provided by United States law. The Plaintiff challenged the FBI and DEA’s decisions to redact portions of the documents produced.

The FBI and DEA, through the United States Department of Justice (USDoJ), pushed back against the Plaintiff’s requests. The FBI and DEA rejected the application to produce the documents without redactions for the following reasons:

‘Some of the documents are protected from being revealed to the public by law, for example, Grand Jury proceedings. The law exempts transcripts of Grand Jury proceedings from public disclosure. The Pen Register Act also protects from disclosure information about certain court order(s) authorising or approving the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device. (FOIA Exemption 3)

2. Some of the documents fall squarely within the attorney-work product and attorney-client privileges. Some documents contain instances where FBI and DEA agents sought and/or received legal advice from USDoJ attorneys. (FOIA Exemption 5)

3. Some of the documents were prepared for law enforcement purposes. (FOIA Exemption 5)

4. Some of the documents contain information which, if revealed, could lead to an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. (FOIA Exemptions 6 and 7(C)).

5. Some of the documents, if disclosed, will reveal the identities of confidential sources or compromise the techniques that law enforcement agencies use in investigating crimes. (FOIA Exemptions 7(D) and 7(E))

President Bola Tinubu, on advice of his lawyers, has also asserted his rights as guaranteed by FOIA Exemption 7(C).

‘The Plaintiff has until September 11, 2026, to file any opposition and reply to the Defendants’ and Intervener’s processes, while the FBI, DEA and the Intervenor have until September 18, 2026, to respond to the processes that the Plaintiff might have filed.

‘The release or withholding of records under FOIA does not, by itself, establish criminal liability. The case concerns access to government records and the proper application of statutory exemptions.

‘The Nigerian media should note that this case is exclusively within the control of Judge Beryl A. Howell of the United States District Court. She will determine its outcome, based on the evidence, applicable law, and the parties’ arguments, not the wishful preference of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or his agent, Mr Von Batten.

‘Recent public commentary by Mr Karl von Batten has inaccurately portrayed him and his client as central to the proceedings. Neither is a party to the case.

The litigation is a civil records-disclosure dispute under FOIA. It does not constitute a criminal charge, trial, or judicial finding against President Tinubu. The FBI and DEA have produced records with redactions, and the remaining question is whether those redactions are lawful.

‘The United States District Court will decide that issue based on the filings and applicable US law, not political commentary.

‘The Presidency therefore urges the media and the public to distinguish verified court proceedings from partisan speculation.’

The Presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the 2027 election, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has said Nigeria’s security and economic challenges can be resolved with strong political backing and consistent leadership.

Olawepo-Hashim stated this when he appeared as a guest on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s show, Politics Today, where he spoke on his presidential ambition, national unity, and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said his political structure had already commenced extensive grassroots mobilisation across the country ahead of the polls.

‘We have quietly mobilised about one million of our supporters into the Accord Party, and we are still doing so,’ Olawepo-Hashim said.

The Accord candidate reacted to comments reportedly credited to a governor suggesting that the party would not field a presidential candidate in 2027.

Describing the remark as an overreach, he insisted that no individual possesses the authority to determine who becomes Nigeria’s next president.

‘That is an overreach for him. The presidency of Nigeria is too big for anyone to allocate. It is in the hands of God and the Nigerian people,’ he said.

Olawepo-Hashim argued that political actors often make such pronouncements out of fear and political survival instincts within Nigeria’s competitive environment.

‘I know the governor is scared stiff that if he does not go about dancing and declaring support for the incumbent president in a rival party, they would rig him out. But that does not give him the power to allocate the presidency,’ he added.

He maintained that political power ultimately belongs to the electorate and cautioned against attempts to predetermine the outcome of future elections.

‘When power changes hands, those who think they can control it will be shocked and humbled,’ he stated.

On security, the Accord candidate said the recent successful rescue of victims abducted in Oyo State shows that Nigeria’s security forces have the capacity to defeat criminal gangs.

‘We have never doubted the ability of Nigeria’s Defence Forces to secure the country. What has often been lacking is clarity of purpose and unwavering political leadership,’ he said.

He cited the Nigerian military’s record in international peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone under ECOMOG as proof of what the country can achieve with direction.

According to him, the successful rescue in Oriire should serve as a model for a coordinated nationwide campaign against kidnappers and bandits.

‘The same determination that secured the freedom of the Oriire victims must now be deployed across every community where innocent Nigerians remain in captivity,’ he stated.

Olawepo-Hashim reaffirmed his commitment to providing Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative anchored on competence, national unity, economic revival and inclusive development.

He said Accord would offer Nigerians an alternative platform built on grassroots mobilisation and issue-based politics ahead of 2027.

Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, has alleged that National Examinations Council (NECO) examination questions were sold for as little as N3,000 before candidates sat for the papers.

Alausa disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and other education stakeholders, as he warned that examination malpractice had become a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

He said the problem had been tolerated for years, creating an environment where students who prepared for examinations honestly were placed at a disadvantage against those who obtained questions before the scheduled papers.

‘It’s sad. Before she (Minister of State for Education) and I came, the acceptance of examination malpractice, cheating and examination leakages in this country was mind-boggling, and the country accepted it. It was a nightmare,’ he said.

‘The danger was that the good students would also become bad.’

The minister said the widespread availability of leaked examination materials could also pressure students who had previously avoided malpractice to join the practice in order to remain competitive.

Recounting efforts to tackle the problem, Alausa alleged that examination questions had been obtained and sold ahead of examinations, citing an incident involving former NECO Registrar, Ibrahim Wushishi.

‘The Registrar of NECO at the time had a name. His name was (Ibrahim) Wushishi. You would go to Wushishi… I didn’t know that Wushishi meant going to the dark website,’ he said.

‘They bought his question for N3,000. That was it. Before the examination. They called him Wushishi and bought the questions for N3,000 before the examination.’

Alausa also recalled what he described as a difficult experience during the 2025 examination period, when he regularly received examination questions allegedly obtained before candidates took the papers.

He said officials had to verify the materials with examination authorities, with some of the questions eventually confirmed to be those scheduled for candidates that day.

‘During that examination period, during the hardest time of my life, I was always worried, waking up. I would wake up to her text. She would send questions to me… She would say, ‘I just got this question,” he said.

‘It could be English or Chemistry. I was always waking up with trepidation every morning, doing work. I would send it to the HNO and ask, ‘HNO, is this correct?’ And the answer I got was, ‘Unfortunately, that’s the question we’re doing today.”

The minister said tackling examination malpractice required the involvement of more than just students, arguing that parents, schools and examination officials also had a role in preventing access to leaked materials.

‘You might be in that isolated school, but the school system is also involved. In fact, I don’t blame the students that much. Any child can be bad,’ Alausa said.

‘But when we have an ecosystem where parents, schools, teachers, invigilators and principals are in full connivance, the students are the smallest players. The people who should put the deterrents in place are the ones involved.’

Alausa said the Federal Government would continue to strengthen measures aimed at protecting the integrity of public examinations and ensuring that academic qualifications reflected candidates’ genuine learning and merit.

Chairman of the South-East Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and APC candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, has said the party’s victory in Anambra State will be likened to the biblical David’s triumph over Goliath.

Ekwunife said the APC would work hard to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wins his re-election bid, alongside other candidates of the party across the three senatorial districts of the state.

She spoke on Friday during a meeting with ward and local government leaders, women, youths and other support group leaders from Anambra Central Senatorial District in Awka.

Ekwunife urged party members to return to their various wards and local government areas to mobilise, sensitise and campaign at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 elections.

She said APC members could not afford to sit back and allow other political parties to defeat the ruling party, adding that President Tinubu had, in her view, performed well through infrastructure and human capital development programmes, youth empowerment initiatives and reforms.

‘We are going into the 2027 general elections to win and ensure there is credible exercise. But there are two key things we just do; hard work and prayers. We must work hard and pray for the victory. We have a President who is doing well in Nigeria,’ she said.

‘The APC is one; the journey has started and we must put in our best. This is a party that has 31 governors, more senators and has done major projects at the grassroots and why can’t it win in an election?’

Ekwunife said the party would intensify its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.

‘We will not sit down here and allow other parties to intimidate us. We are going to go from house to house, ward to ward, local government to local government, man to man, woman to woman, market to market, and to make sure we win; our victory will be like that of David against Goliath,’ she stated.

The South-East PCC chairman also urged party members to put aside their differences and unite towards securing victory for all APC candidates at the polls.

She disclosed that the registration of new members was ongoing, adding that the party had opened its registration portal to accommodate more Nigerians.

Ekwunife, however, cautioned individuals working against the interests of the APC in Anambra State to desist, saying the party was determined to strengthen its position in the state and across the country.

The meeting, which attracted a large number of APC members from the seven local government areas in Anambra Central Senatorial District, also featured expressions of support from party leaders and members for Ekwunife’s bid to return to the Senate in 2027.

The ONSA, in a security advisory released in Abuja, warned that Nigerians must remain ‘vigilant and security-conscious amid evolving threats across parts of the country.’

It said the recent setbacks suffered by terrorist and criminal groups ‘could prompt them to resort to isolated attacks designed to create fear and attract public attention.’

The NSA stated: ‘There is a need for heightened alertness, as such groups may seek to carry out isolated acts aimed at creating fear or drawing attention to themselves.’

According to the office in the advisory dated August 27, Nigerians should remain vigilant and security-conscious of threats from parts of the country.

It, however, stated that intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies, working with local and international partners, had intensified intelligence gathering and threat monitoring nationwide.

The office said the advisory was issued against the backdrop of sustained military and security operations across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions, which it said had recorded notable successes against the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other criminal groups.

The advisory further noted: ‘The NSA said the operations had resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorist and bandit commanders, including Abubakar Al-Mainok, alias Abu Bilal Al-Minuki, as well as the disruption of camps, hideouts and other criminal strongholds in various locations.

‘It, however, warned that the setbacks suffered by terrorist and criminal groups could prompt them to resort to isolated attacks designed to create fear and attract public attention.

‘There is a need for heightened alertness, as such groups may seek to carry out isolated acts aimed at creating fear or drawing attention to themselves,’ the advisory stated.

The ONSA called on members of the public to maintain vigilance at all times and pay close attention to their immediate surroundings.

‘It also urged citizens to report unusual or suspicious persons, objects, vehicles and movements promptly through appropriate security channels.

‘The advisory further called on state and local governments to take a proactive role in strengthening community vigilance and supporting preventive security measures.

‘They were also urged to ensure timely information sharing with security agencies to facilitate early response to emerging threats.

‘The NSA stressed the importance of cooperation between citizens and security agencies in preventing security incidents and protecting lives and property, while reassuring the international community.

‘The advisory assured the international community that the Nigerian government remained committed to maintaining a safe and stable environment for citizens, foreign nationals, diplomatic missions, investors and development partners.

‘It added that the government would continue to work with the international community through intelligence sharing, security cooperation and coordinated preventive measures to tackle evolving threats and strengthen collective security.’