Category: PM News

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, several governors and other All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have arrived in Osogbo for the party’s final mobilisation rally ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

Gboyega Oyetola confirmed the arrival of the party’s leading figures in a statement posted on his X account on Thursday.

‘It is a pleasure to welcome the Senate President, His Excellency Godswill Akpabio; Governor Hope Uzodimma; Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Governor Uba Sani; other distinguished Governors, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; party leaders, stakeholders and other dignitaries to Osun State for the APC Governorship Campaign Mega Rally in Osogbo,’ Oyetola wrote.

He expressed hope that the campaign event would be peaceful and successful as party members and supporters converged on the state capital.

‘As members and supporters of the APC family converge in Osogbo, we look forward to a peaceful, vibrant and successful campaign event,’ he added.

Other APC figures at the rally include Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and House of Representatives member for Ikeja Federal Constituency James Faleke.

The rally is part of the APC’s final campaign push for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 election.

The event, holding on the final day of the official campaign period, is expected to attract party leaders, supporters and campaign coordinators from Osun State’s 30 local government areas.

The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed Thursday, August 13, as the campaign deadline after moving the election from August 8 to August 15.

Oyebamiji, who emerged from the APC governorship primary conducted in Osogbo, will contest against incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and candidates of the African Democratic Congress, People’s Redemption Party and other political parties.

The final campaign activities come amid reports of violence across the state, with the Accord Party accusing the APC of using federal influence to suppress rival political parties.

Political tension intensified last week after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission froze the Osun State Government’s account days before the election.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently intervened and directed the anti-graft agency to unfreeze the account immediately.

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has assented to the State Electric Power Sector (Amendment) Law, 2026, aimed at strengthening the legal and institutional framework for electricity generation, transmission and distribution in the state.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan.

The legislation was passed by the State House of Assembly, with the amendment of the 2020 Power Sector Law to align with Nigeria’s Electricity Act, 2023.

According to the statement, major feature of the new law is the establishment of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) as an independent body to oversee tariff regulation, licensing, mini-grids, third-party investments and renewable energy development.

The statement noted that law also established the State Independent System Operator (SISO), State Market Operator (SMO), and the Equipment Standards and Competence Certification Agency (ESCCA) to inspect installations and accredit operators.

‘Under the new framework, compulsory metering is mandated in both grid-connected and off-grid areas, while establishing legal protection for community and privately-funded electricity infrastructure. To safeguard installations, the law creates the offence of Electricity Infrastructure Expansion Sabotage, penalising deliberate grid connection refusals with a N2 million fine upon first conviction and an additional daily fine of N25,000 for non-compliance. It also empowers the Ondo State Power Company as the state’s commercial arm to drive investments in renewable energy, independent distribution networks, and small hydro projects,’ the statement stated.

It noted that the framework would foster private-sector participation, safeguard investments, expand infrastructure, and leverage the decentralisation of Nigeria’s power sector.

The statement added that the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to using reliable electricity as a catalyst for industrialisation and economic development in the state.

The statement quoted the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Johnson Alabi, as describing the governor’s assent as a major milestone toward building an investment-driven power sector.

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted smuggled goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.574 billion, including 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 6,035 parcels of suspected cannabis, popularly known as ‘Ghana Loud.’

The Command also disclosed that it had handed over 32,412 parcels of hard drugs and 92 sacks of raw Cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idiroko Special Command, since January 2026.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Ogun I Command Headquarters, Idiroko.

Afeni said the seizures were part of the Command’s sustained campaign against smuggling, illicit drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border criminality.

He warned smugglers and their collaborators that the Command would continue to make its area of jurisdiction hostile to illegal activities.

According to him, smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited goods goes beyond the violation of import regulations, describing it as a major threat to Nigeria’s agricultural development, local industries, employment and economic self-reliance.

‘When foreign rice is smuggled into our markets, it undermines our local farmers and agricultural investors. Our government and local entrepreneurs have invested billions to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

‘Unimpeded smuggling forces local mills to close and leaves our farmers bankrupt,’ Afeni said.

He added that patronising smuggled foreign products amounted to exporting jobs to other countries while worsening unemployment and poverty in Nigeria.

The Acting Controller said the items intercepted and displayed included 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 70 cartons of basmati rice, 6,035 parcels of Ghana Loud/Indica, 30 bags of foreign sugar, 2,674 pieces of new shorts and trousers, and 3,760 pieces of new tops.

Others were 11,450 litres of PMS in kegs, 1,750 litres of PMS in drums, 30 kegs of diesel, 100 bags of fertiliser, 67 bales of second-hand clothing, 85 pieces of fire extinguishers, 480 cartons of Pure Heaven drinks, 53 packages of oats, 47 cartons of cosmetics, 36 packages of hair accessories, three packages of surgical shoes and 127 pieces of new purses.

The total Duty Paid Value of the seized items, he said, stood at N3,574,435,248.08.

Afeni described the seizures as evidence of the Command’s vigilance and determination to prevent contraband from flooding Nigerian communities.

The Customs boss expressed particular concern over the quantity of illicit drugs intercepted, warning that the growing circulation of high-potency cannabis varieties could have serious consequences for Nigerian youths.

He said the illicit drug trade could also finance violent criminal networks, human trafficking and the illegal proliferation of arms.

‘The smuggling of cannabis and dangerous variants like Ghana Loud, Colorado and Cannabis sativa are not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, breeds violence in our neighbourhoods and undermines our economy,’ he said.

Afeni stressed that the fight against drug trafficking required sustained collaboration among security agencies.

He subsequently handed over the seized narcotics to the NDLEA Idiroko Special Command for further investigation and necessary legal action.

The Ogun I Command also announced that it generated N90,066,164 in July 2026 from baggage assessments, auctions of perishable items, PMS and other charges.

On export activities, Afeni disclosed that the Command recorded an export volume of 10,110 metric tonnes, with a Free On Board (FOB) value of N2.594 billion.

He identified white talc, crushed thermal coal and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as the major drivers of the recorded export volume.

Afeni warned smuggling syndicates against using the Ogun-I border corridor as a transit route for prohibited goods.

‘To the syndicates and smugglers who think they can use Ogun I Command as a transit route for poison, hear this clearly. We are adapting faster than you are,’ he declared.

He said the Command would continue to seize contraband, impound vehicles and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law.

The Acting Controller appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders and residents of border communities to support the Customs Service by reporting suspicious activities.

He also urged Nigerians to patronise locally produced rice, vegetable oil, wine and pasta, saying such patronage would help create jobs, strengthen local industries and improve food security.

Afeni commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for what he described as his dynamic leadership and support for operational effectiveness across the Nigeria Customs Service.

He assured Nigerians that the Ogun I Command would sustain its enforcement operations while working with sister security agencies to protect the nation’s borders and domestic economy.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that efforts to curb insecurity will continue to face serious obstacles unless governments address worsening poverty and the declining living standards of Nigerians.

The association also urged the authorities to strengthen local governments so they can respond more effectively to the needs of people at the grassroots.

PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, made the call at a dinner organised in honour of former leaders of the association who contributed to its growth since its establishment in 1978.

The gathering brought together former presidents, deputy presidents, general secretaries, zonal chairmen, zonal secretaries and other former national officers.

Osifo said the country’s economic difficulties had created problems that extended well beyond the workplace, noting that the burden was increasingly being felt by workers who were themselves struggling to cope with the financial needs of those around them.

He said, ‘a worker may have a good income but could quickly find such earnings depleted by the responsibility of supporting unemployed relatives and other people around them who are struggling financially.’

According to him, PENGASSAN would continue to focus on protecting members’ jobs, wages and welfare, but could not remain indifferent to the broader economic hardship affecting the population.

Osifo said poverty reduction should be treated as a shared responsibility among the Federal, state and local governments.

He argued that governments at all levels needed to become more sensitive to the difficulties confronting citizens, adding that a meaningful response to insecurity must include measures that improve people’s economic wellbeing.

On the purpose of the gathering, the PENGASSAN leader said the association wanted to recognise the contributions of its former officers and preserve the memory of their sacrifices.

He noted that many of the former leaders remained involved in the association’s affairs by offering guidance and drawing attention to areas that required improvement.

Osifo said the awards presented to the former officials were modest expressions of gratitude for the role they played in building PENGASSAN and laying a foundation for future administrations.

Nigerian Artisans Endorse Tinubu for Second Term, Hold Three-Day Leadership Summit

Artisans and technicians from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

The group attributed its decision to the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, which it said had created economic opportunities and improved the welfare of artisans and technicians across the country.

The endorsement was announced in Abuja during the 2nd Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit (NALSUM) 2026, a three-day event focused on leadership development, skills acquisition and economic empowerment.

Speaking at the summit, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, urged ASNAT members to remain united in their support for the Tinubu administration.

Represented by former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Tijani Kaura, Yari described artisans and technicians as critical contributors to national development and economic growth.

He also highlighted several programmes and policies of the Tinubu administration which, he said, had benefited members of the sector.

Yari described ASNAT as a formidable organisation with a large membership capable of significantly influencing electoral outcomes.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations and National Patron of ASNAT, Rt. Hon. Sanusi Rikiji, formally announced the association’s endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term.

Rikiji said several initiatives under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda were designed to expand economic opportunities for artisans, technicians and other professionals.

He said Tinubu remained committed to addressing the challenges confronting workers across various sectors, describing the President as a nationalist and statesman whose commitment to national reforms would be appreciated by future generations.

According to Rikiji, many members of ASNAT’s 12.5 million registered membership have benefited from various Renewed Hope programmes implemented through government agencies and initiatives.

‘It is an understatement to reiterate and re-emphasise that artisans and technicians are the backbone of Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic diversification and sustainable development,’ he said.

On the significance of NALSUM, Rikiji said the summit was designed to provide a platform for members to upgrade their skills, strengthen leadership capacity and reposition themselves for greater economic opportunities.

‘NALSUM is not just a meeting. It is the most important platform we have to upgrade, upskill and reposition our members for leadership, dignity and prosperity for our dear country,’ he said.

The National Coordinator of ASNAT, Comrade Adeshina Akinyemi, commended the Tinubu administration for its policies and programmes and pledged the association’s continued support for the President.

Akinyemi said ASNAT would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve the welfare and economic well-being of its members.

He described the summit as an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of artisans and technicians while equipping them with knowledge and skills to formalise their businesses, expand their operations and access emerging economic opportunities.

He also acknowledged Senator Yari’s efforts to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election, saying artisans and technicians across Nigeria remained committed to working with him towards the President’s success.

‘As we begin this three-day transformative leadership training, I encourage every participant to pay close attention to the resource persons, training modules and strategic sessions,’ Akinyemi said.

‘The knowledge you gain here is meant to help you formalise your businesses, expand your operations and access modern economic opportunities. Let us maximise this platform.’

Some artisans and technicians at the summit also commended the Tinubu administration for what they described as its empowerment initiatives, expressing their readiness to mobilise support for the President’s re-election in the 2027 polls.

The Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit attracted senior government officials, leaders of 29 affiliated associations representing artisans and technicians across the 36 states and the FCT, members of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as partners from the private sector and development agencies.

The All Progressives Congress has declared Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke ‘utterly defeatable’ in the August 15 governorship election, citing what it described as his poor performance in office.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the declaration on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time.

Morka expressed confidence that the APC candidate would defeat the incumbent, arguing that the party had received significant support from the people of Osun State.

‘Governor Adeleke is utterly defeatable. His record has been very lacklustre. He has been very dismal in his performance as governor.

‘The health and education sectors are in shambles. He is very detestable because he hasn’t done well,’ he said.

The APC spokesman maintained that the outcome of the election would be determined by the people and reflected in a credible result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

‘INEC is determined to do its job as appointed by the law, and the people of Osun State, I believe, irrespective of the reports of violence, will go out there and make their choice because that is their state,’ Morka added.

The Osun State governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026.

Omoyele Sowore has accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force of firing tear gas at him and his supporters while they were travelling to Osogbo ahead of the Osun State governorship election.

Sowore made the allegation on Wednesday in a post shared on his verified X account.

He claimed that the officers fired tear gas at the group despite holding what he described as a respectful and peaceful conversation with them.

‘Despite our having a respectful and peaceful conversation with them, they secretly fired tear gas at us as we continued on our journey,’ Sowore wrote.

According to him, the alleged police action failed to prevent the group from reaching the Osun State capital.

‘But their intimidation failed. We pushed through, arrived in Oshogbo and triumphed,’ he stated.

Sowore condemned the alleged conduct of the officers, insisting that personnel deployed for the election should protect citizens and safeguard the electoral process.

‘The police should be protecting citizens and safeguarding the democratic process, not attacking peaceful political actors,’ he added.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has described Saturday’s Osun State governorship election as a battle between Governor Ademola Adeleke and President Bola Tinubu.

Momodu said the All Progressives Congress lacked the political strength to defeat Adeleke on its own, arguing that the real contest was against the influence of the Tinubu-led presidency.

He spoke on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*.

‘The battle in Osun is not a contest between Adeleke and the APC; it is between Adeleke and President Bola Tinubu. APC is no match for Adeleke in Osun.

‘Everybody agrees on that. They can make all the noise and hullabaloo, but I can tell you today that even the presidency knows. I have a lot of friends in APC; they know they cannot match Ademola Adeleke,’ he said.

Momodu’s remarks came as political parties intensified their campaigns ahead of the August 15, 2026 election.

Adeleke is seeking a second term, while the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, is among his major challengers.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday reacted to commentaries questioning the accuracy, reliability and credibility of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results released on Aug. 5.

WAEC, in a statement by its Public Affairs Department signed by Mrs Moyosola Adesina, Head of the unit dismissed doubts over the results while affirming their credibility.

Adesina noted that comments by content creators and social media commentators had raised concerns among candidates, parents, schools and the wider public.

She said the council welcomed constructive scrutiny, describing accountability as essential, but cautioned against spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among candidates.

‘WAEC remains committed to ensuring that every result released reflects rigorous assessment, careful moderation and established standards designed to protect candidates and sustain public confidence nationwide,’ she said.

Adesina explained that the 2026 WASSCE for School Candidates was conducted strictly in line with established operational procedures and relevant educational policies.

She said the examination was administered in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and remained guided by longstanding quality-assurance mechanisms.

The head of public affairs department noted that every candidate’s script passed through a multi-tiered system of marking, moderation and auditing before final results were approved.

She added that standardized marking schemes and carefully vetted subject experts were deployed throughout the assessment process.

She said: ‘The Council understands candidates’ concerns, but urges parents, schools and the public to verify information through official channels rather than rely on unsubstantiated social media claims.’

Adesina advised candidates and stakeholders with genuine concerns about their results to utilise established query-resolution channels available nationwide.

She said such concerns could be addressed through its offices across the country and verified online platforms.

‘Candidates and stakeholders with genuine concerns should use WAEC’s established review channels, where queries are handled transparently and appropriate explanations provided,’ she said.

Adesina reiterated the council’s commitment to preserving examination integrity and safeguarding the interests of candidates across the country.

She also urged members of the public to obtain information relating to examinations and results through official WAEC communication channels.

WAEC released the 2026 WASSCE results for school candidates on Aug. 5 after weeks of anticipation among candidates, parents and schools.

A total of 1,950,726 candidates sat for the examination, while 1,200,514 candidates secured credits in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics.

The figure represents 61.54 per cent of all candidates who participated in the examination nationwide.

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Yiaga Africa, has expressed concern that prevailing tension ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election could discourage voters from exercising their franchise.

The Chairperson of the Osun Election Observation Mission of Yiaga Africa, Dr Asmau Maikudi, and the organisation’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, raised the concern at a pre-election press conference on Thursday in Osogbo.

She stressed the need for all stakeholders to create a peaceful and conducive environment for voters to cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.

According to her, while preparations for the election were broadly on track, the credibility of the process would ultimately depend on the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on election day.

‘The electoral umpire had undertaken key preparatory activities across the 30 Local Government Areas, including Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution, recruitment and training of election officials, mock accreditation, BVAS configuration, stakeholder engagement and election security coordination.

‘Election-day credibility will depend on timely deployment, reliable technology, consistent application of the law and effective contingency planning,’ she said.

She noted that PVC collection was disrupted in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas, limiting some voters’ ability to obtain their cards.

The chairperson noted that although INEC had announced plans to enable affected voters to download electronic PVCs, limited access to digital services could prevent some eligible voters from benefiting from the measure.

‘This increases the risk of voter disenfranchisement,’ she said.

Speaking on security concerns, Maikudi said incidents documented in the weeks preceding the election indicated a troubling shift towards direct disruption of electoral activities and contestation over strategic public spaces.

She cited the attack on a PVC collection centre in Odo-Otin Local Government Area, politically linked violence in Osogbo Local Government and disputes over the control of motor parks as developments that had heightened security risks surrounding the election.

‘Yiaga Africa expressed concern over the escalation of incendiary rhetoric and hate speech attributed to political actors. Such rhetoric could legitimise violence, deepen partisan hostility and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

‘We called for intelligence-led, coordinated and strictly impartial security deployment, with enhanced protection for electoral personnel, facilities, materials and voters,’ Maikudi said.

She further said security and law enforcement agencies must investigate and prosecute electoral violence, threats, hate speech and related offences without regard to political status, party affiliation or influence.

Maikudi warned that unresolved technical problems could disenfranchise eligible voters, generate tension at polling units and undermine confidence in the credibility and legitimacy of the election.

She called for more inclusive and targeted voter education ahead of the election, stressing that political awareness and civic engagement should remain high, particularly among women, youths and persons with disabilities.

‘Yiaga Africa identified voter inducement as a significant integrity risk and had documented the distribution of money and gift items by political actors.

‘Some of the distributions were presented as social interventions or charitable support, but their timing and proximity to campaign activities raised concerns about voter inducement and undue influence.

‘On voter education, the organisation said activities had expanded since July 1, led largely by INEC, civil society organisations and the National Orientation Agency.’

Maikudi, however, warned that pre-election violence, inflammatory rhetoric and persistent distrust in the process could suppress voter participation on election day.