Category: PM News

By Celine-Damilola Oyewole and Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has promised Gov. Alex Otti that if her husband wins the 2027 presidential election, she would wear a wrapper and ‘buba’ made from prestigious hand-woven textile indigenous to Akwete community in Abia for the inauguration.

The first lady made the promise in Aba on Tuesday, during her visit to the state to celebrate and promote the historic Akwete weaving heritage, in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state.

She also donated N2 billion to the Abia Government to support the development of Akwete fabric.

The First Lady explained that the gesture was to support the development of the Akwete production site, with a view to create more jobs and boost the economy of the state.

She added that the donation would support efforts by the Abia Government to preserve the centuries-old craft and ensure its sustainability for future generations.

ýShe praised the uniqueness and the richness of the Akwete fabric, crafted on vertical looms by women in Abia, using cotton, raffia, and silk and famous for its vibrant colours and intricate geometric motifs.

‘I am in awe of all the richness of what the Akwete fabrics stand for.

ý’I love traditional outfits because our tradition, our culture tells us who we are. The moment we lose that; we won’t remember where we come from.

‘The craft was transferred from generation to generation. It is a sacred craft done with love, patience, and endurance.

‘The tradition of the Akwete handmade fabric is dear to the hearts of the women who make it, and they should be encouraged to pass it on to the next generation,’ she said.

ýMrs Tinubu encouraged the younger generation to embrace their culture, particularly cultural attire that connects the young with the older generation.

According to her, people should be proud of their cultural heritage and wear the African traditional attires with pride.

ý’We should not let our children forget that.

‘To the women of Akwete, I heard your cry. I am here to announce to all Nigerians and the Igbo people that it is time to take Akwete fabric to the national stage.

ý’Therefore, all the notable sons and daughters of Igbo land should rise up to preserve this culture. On my part, I am donating N2 billion for the project,’ the first Lady said.

Responding, Otti and his wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti, thanked the first lady for the gesture saying, ‘it will significantly transform Akwete fabric production in the state’.

He described the visit to the state as timely and significant for preserving the indigenous craft.

Otti noted that the Abia Government had been engaging with the Akwete weaving community since 2023 to reposition the industry for greater economic value.

The governor said that the state government was working to remove barriers limiting the growth of the centuries-old craft while embracing technology to improve production and competitiveness in the global market.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for implementing economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.

The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the women that weaves the fabric as the bedrock of the community.

‘Today we celebrate the ingenuity of the women in this area and I would like to be part of the construction of the weaving center,’Abaribe said.

Abia Council of Traditional Rulers conferred the traditional title of ‘Ugo Nwanyi Abia’ (the Pride of Abia Women) on the first lady in recognition of her generosity, care and motherly roles to all Nigerian women.

The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has urged the Federal Government to account for what it considers an uneven distribution of funds for religious projects in the proposed 2026 budget.

The association said figures contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill showed that about N8.05 billion had been set aside for church and mosque projects, but argued that the allocation heavily favoured one religious group.

In a statement released on Monday, NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the association had no objection to government supporting faith-based projects. However, he insisted that any such expenditure must comply with the constitutional principles of fairness, equity and transparency.

According to the NCA, about N1.91 billion has been proposed for seven church projects, while roughly N6.14 billion is earmarked for 52 mosque projects.

Hayab said the figures had revived concerns among Christians about what he described as unequal treatment in government policies.

‘How long will Nigerians continue to read stories that expose the hypocrisy of our leaders?’ he asked.

He warned that policies perceived to favour one group over another could deepen divisions and weaken national cohesion.

‘The partiality, lack of equity and unequal treatment of citizens by government and political leaders are among the major factors responsible for division, distrust, segregation and the absence of genuine unity and love among Nigerians,’ he said.

Hayab noted that Christians had remained patient over the years in the interest of peace and national unity, but argued that successive administrations had mistaken that restraint for weakness.

He maintained that the growing perception of discrimination and double standards in governance was undermining public confidence, despite the Constitution guaranteeing equal treatment for all citizens irrespective of religion.

‘Government should not be seen to promote policies that suggest preferential treatment for one religious group over another,’ Hayab stated.

The association stressed that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to Islam, Christianity or government partnerships with religious organisations. Rather, it said its demand was for an equitable and transparent process in the use of public funds.

The NCA called on the Federal Government to clarify the basis for the allocations and review them where necessary, insisting that budget decisions should promote fairness, strengthen national unity and reinforce public trust in government institutions.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that its investigation into alleged visa fraud involving personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service remains active, while dismissing claims that Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap is among those under scrutiny.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale made the clarification in a statement issued on Monday following reports suggesting that Nandap was being investigated over alleged visa racketeering involving some immigration officers.

The commission dismissed the reports as false, declaring that it had no case against the immigration chief.

‘The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is aware of reports in the media about alleged visa racketeering involving some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, especially subtle insinuations about assumed investigation of the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap,’ the statement read.

‘The Commission wishes to state unequivocally that it has no case with the Immigration CG.’

The EFCC, however, confirmed that some NIS officers were already being prosecuted over alleged fraudulent visa practices.

According to the commission, the existing cases are pending before the Federal High Court, while further investigations could expose additional officers.

‘There are subsisting cases of alleged visa fraud against some immigration officers at the Federal High Court,’ Oyewale said.

‘Further investigations are ongoing with the possibility that more NIS officers could be arraigned for alleged fraudulent practices in the near future.’

The EFCC stressed that Nandap was not connected to either the existing prosecutions or the continuing investigation.

‘However, the Immigration CG is not remotely connected to these investigations,’ the statement added.

The commission did not disclose the identities or number of officers who could face fresh charges.

Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Limited, Engr Stella Okengwu, and Chairman of Gtext Holdings, Mr Stephen Akintayo, have called for an independent investigation into whether the alignment and design of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contributed to the severe flooding recently experienced in parts of Lagos State.

The two real estate stakeholders, who spoke separately during a television programme over the weekend, argued that while Lagos has historically experienced flooding, the scale witnessed this year has raised legitimate questions that require technical and environmental assessment rather than political arguments.

Okengwu commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, for their efforts to mitigate the flooding but insisted that experts should objectively examine whether changes made to the original 2006 gazetted alignment of the coastal highway and aspects of its drainage design may have worsened the flooding.

‘Lagos has always experienced flooding. This is not in dispute. But many residents would agree that what we are witnessing today appears more widespread and severe than in previous years.

‘I believe it is both reasonable and necessary for experts to objectively examine whether aspects of the road design, construction, drainage system and any departure from the 2006 gazetted alignment may have contributed in any way to this current situation,’ she said.

She said she had raised similar concerns during the planning stage of the project, stressing that her objections were based on engineering considerations rather than personal interest.

According to her, the original gazetted route had already undergone the necessary environmental assessments before the alignment was altered.

Okengwu, an engineer by profession, alleged that after questioning the project, the road alignment was redirected through her estate, resulting in the demolition of properties.

She further claimed that the engagements she had with the Minister of Works over the issue were unsatisfactory, alleging that concerns about the environmental impact assessment were dismissed.

The Winhomes CEO also renewed her call for compensation, saying she and other investors had committed significant resources to Nigeria after encouraging diaspora and foreign investors to invest in the country.

She expressed concern that the experience had undermined investor confidence, noting that many investors now question whether properties developed with valid government approvals could still be demolished without compensation.

According to her, attracting investment requires not only infrastructure development but also respect for due process, environmental regulations and the rule of law.

On the role of the Lagos State Government, Okengwu maintained that the state should not be blamed for the demolitions, arguing that the Federal Ministry of Works handled the exercise while the state government has focused on mitigating the impact of the flooding.

Akintayo, also speaking on the programme, said the flooding was the result of several factors, including blocked drainage channels, poor environmental planning and the construction of the coastal highway at a level significantly higher than surrounding communities.

He argued that the elevation of the highway had created difficulty for floodwater to drain naturally from adjoining areas.

According to him, the challenge was not the coastal highway itself but the decision to deviate from the original gazetted route closer to the Atlantic coastline.

He explained that moving the road further inland created what he described as a ‘valley effect,’ making it more difficult for water to flow out of neighbouring communities.

Akintayo also rejected suggestions that property developers were primarily responsible for the flooding, noting that developers obtain government approvals before embarking on projects and are subjected to inspections by relevant agencies.

He alleged that irregular approvals granted by some government officials should also be investigated, rather than placing blanket blame on developers.

While acknowledging that some developers may have violated regulations, he insisted that those found culpable should face sanctions instead of wholesale demolition of investments worth billions of naira.

The real estate investor proposed the establishment of an independent compensation fund jointly managed by the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and industry stakeholders to address losses arising from the coastal highway project.

He also called for greater collaboration between government and the private sector to restore investor confidence, warning that uncertainty surrounding property rights was discouraging both local and diaspora investment in Nigeria’s real estate sector.

Akintayo maintained that while the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains an important infrastructure project, its implementation should balance developmental objectives with environmental sustainability, adherence to approved planning frameworks and adequate protection for legitimate investors.

The Commissioner of Works in Kogi, Barrister Salami Ozigi Dedaat, has explained why the people of the state will continue the continuation of President Bola Tinubu in office beyond 2027.

Deedat gave the explanation while speaking during the ongoing inspection of federal and state government’s landmark projects across Kogi State by members of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, the Presidential Communications Team and a team over 40 senior journalists on Sunday.

He spoke after the team inspected federal and state government projects at Kogi state-owned Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner acknowledged that the feats that have been achieved by Governor Usman Ododo in terms of infrastructural development Kogi was because of increased funds accruing to the state as a result of reforms and policies of President Tinubu.

According to him, Governor Ododo has also not hidden the fact that his investments in infrastructure and other initiatives have been enabled by increased allocation from the federal purse.

Deedat therefore noted that re-electing President Tinubu in 2027 will also enable him to complete the federal projects that are going on in Kogi in addition to continued support for the State government.

‘The Governor would not have been able to do all these without the resources that are made available by Mr President, and this is one of the dividends of the policies courageously taken by Mr President – the removal of subsidy. So, if we don’t have funds, we couldn’t have been able to do these, and you can imagine what that will mean to education sector.

‘So, on behalf of all the sincere Kogites, we appreciate Mr President for giving us the opportunity, the resources to put up this gigantic university in Kogi State.

‘I will add to it that as a Kogite, you have no reason not allow the President to continue doing what he is doing in Kogi State University, not to allow him to continue doing what he is doing in Abuja-Lokoja-Okene- Benin road and particularly, what he is doing in Ajaokuta where we have all hope that by the grace of God, before the end of this year, Ajaokuta will bounce back,’ he said.

The Commissioner added that Kogi people had always demonstrated support for the President and the ruling APC by voting for the party in every election and will do so again in 2027.

‘What you are seeing on Social media is not in tandem with what is happening in Kogi because we know what he is doing on our highways, we know what he is doing in Ajaokuta, we know how is giving our governor resources to do all these projects.

‘The governor does not pretend that he is getting all these resources from Mr President, thereby enabling us to know why and how we should appreciate Mr President and that’s what we are seeing in Kogi and that’s why you will see that in every election, APC is always winning here by high margin,’ he said.

Earlier, the Director of Administration of CUSTECH, Mohammed Ahmed had told journalists on the tour that investments by the Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) have helped to position the institution as one of the fastest growing in the country.

He listed projects delivered in the institution by the federal government to include the Faculty of Science Complex, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Complex, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences Complex as well as the Faculty of Anatomy, valued at over N2.3bn.

Ahmed also said TETFund had also supported the institution through the 2025 Special Intervention (Renewed Hope Initiative) by the construction of the female hostel, Project Maintenance Intervention as well as in academic and research support.

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the media team also inspected the Barefoot Renewable Energy College and the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant established in the university by the Federal Government through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).

The College and Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant were established to equip Nigerian youths with practical skills in renewable energy technologies towards development of a skilled workforce capable of installing, operating, and maintaining clean energy systems.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication and also the leader of the delegation, Sunday Dare, said the tremendous physical and academic development witnessed in the university was a fallout of the courageous reform policies taken by the President, which has freed more funds to the states.

‘When you look at the cardinal points of the eight – point Agenda of the President, education stands on a solid place in that list. There is no better adroit testimony to what we have seen at the Confluence University of Science and Technology.

‘For the 21st Century economy, there is primacy for science and technology. We have seen the investments that have come here. We have seen the benefits of continuity on the part of the former governor, Yahaya Bello and we have seen Governor Usman Ododo follow through.’

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, Mr. Otega Ogara, said the Barefoot Renewable Energy College and Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant will equip Nigerian youths with practical skills in renewable energy technologies, which will focus on developing a skilled workforce capable of installing, operating, and maintaining clean energy systems.

‘The College is the second globally, after the one in India. The Hydrogen Plant is the second in Africa,’ he said.

The media team also inspected the Kabba Junction section of the Abuja – Lokoja Expressway, which is also the starting point of the Lokoja – Benin Expressway.

Dedaat told journalists that the Abuja-Lokoja highway had been in a very deplorable condition due to abandonment by past administrations but has now been earmarked for completion by President Bola Tinubu.

The road has been divided into five different sections, each awarded to a different contractor to speed up its early completion.

The Commissioner also commended President Tinubu for approving the project and others across the state.

The media team also inspected the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Nagazi, established by the Kogi State Government under its Mega School initiative to expand access to quality science and technology education.

Commissioned by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on 13 April 2026, the model school was equipped with facilities to deliver top notch education including fully equipped Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories, ICT laboratory, Digital library and e-learning facilities and 326-seat Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre among others.

The media team also inspected the Kogi State University in Kabba, which has seen marked development in just two years, Mopa Primary Health Centre, some completed inner roads in Kabba-Bunu and the erosion control project in Kabba under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in mid arid areas put together by Governor Ododo in the first day of the media tour.

Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo had told members of the media team at a reception on Sunday that Kogi Rebrand Initiative of the Governor Ododo administration was meant to change the narratives of the state through impactful infrastructure and people – oriented programmes.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Nigeria fully transitions from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

Speaking during a training programme for over 50 set-top box installers and technicians in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Head of the Digital Switchover (DSO) Unit and Deputy Director of Public Affairs at NBC, Clementine Usman-Wamba, said the exercise was part of efforts to prepare professionals for the nationwide rollout of the renewed Digital Switchover programme.

She explained that analogue television broadcasting will be phased out by 2028, making it necessary to train qualified installers who will support the transition process across the country.

According to her, the training is being conducted in partnership with Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) to equip installers with the skills needed to properly align and track signals for the new digital television platform.

Usman-Wamba said installers play a key role in the success of the project because many Nigerians will require technical assistance to connect to the free-to-air television service.

She noted that the government recently launched a Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform, which allows households to access television channels without paying subscription fees.

With a decoder and satellite dish connected to the NigComSat signal, users can enjoy multiple channels free of charge.

She added that NBC is training installers nationwide to ensure the project reaches homes across the country and that viewers can easily access the service.

According to her, many people cannot carry out the installation themselves because of the technical knowledge required, making trained installers an important part of the initiative.

Participants at the training praised the programme, describing it as an opportunity to gain valuable skills while creating jobs for young Nigerians.

One of the trainees, satellite installer Raji Taoheed Olanrewaju, said the training broadened his knowledge and would help create employment opportunities for many youths.

He added that the free television service would benefit low-income earners by giving them access to numerous channels without monthly subscriptions.

Another participant, Gbenga Oluduro, said the programme helped him better understand the technical aspects of installing digital decoders and satellite dishes.

The NBC said the training exercise is part of broader efforts to ensure a smooth transition to digital broadcasting and expand access to quality television services across Nigeria.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under mounting international scrutiny following the submission of coordinated human rights petitions to the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the United States Embassy, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress, the British High Commission and the Canadian High Commission.

The petitions challenge the alleged treatment of Abuja resident, Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, during an ongoing property dispute, with her legal team accusing the anti-graft agency of violating her fundamental rights and seeking urgent international intervention.

The petitions, prepared by the law firm of Chief C.A.S. Oshomegie, SAN and Oshomegie and Co., and signed by Emaya J. Alibeku, Esq., on behalf of the chambers, accuse the anti-graft agency of subjecting Rebecca, members of her household and workers to conditions that allegedly violate both Nigeria’s Constitution and several international human rights conventions.

The firm stated that it is acting as solicitors to Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac and her family.

In the petitions, the legal team stressed that they were not asking the international bodies to interfere with any criminal investigation or determine ownership of the disputed property.

Rather, they appealed for urgent humanitarian intervention to prevent what they described as a life-threatening situation allegedly created by the continued occupation of the residence by EFCC operatives.

According to the petitions, EFCC operatives have maintained physical control of Rebecca’s family residence located at Plot 4022, Guzape, Abuja, since June 29, 2026.

During that period, the lawyers alleged that water supply, electricity and cooking gas to the residence were disconnected, while access to food, drinking water, medication and other basic necessities was either denied or severely restricted.

The petitions further alleged that Rebecca had been unable to cook, preserve food or maintain normal living conditions because of the disconnection of essential utilities.

Food stored in refrigerators and freezers reportedly spoiled, creating what the lawyers described as an unhealthy and unbearable environment within the residence.

They also claimed that Rebecca’s husband, children, relatives and legal representatives had either been denied access to her or permitted only brief, tightly controlled visits, while her children had been displaced from their family home.

The legal team argued that the matter had transcended an ordinary dispute over property ownership and had become a question of the protection of human life, dignity and the rule of law.

One of the most serious allegations contained in the petitions is that a worker inside the premises reportedly collapsed after prolonged deprivation of adequate food and water.

The lawyers described the incident as evidence that the humanitarian situation had become critical, warning that unless urgent intervention was secured, additional occupants could suffer grave injury or even death.

They maintained that no law enforcement operation should expose individuals to hunger, thirst or deprivation of medical care.

A major plank of the petitions challenges the legal basis upon which the EFCC continues to occupy the residence.

According to Oshomegie’s chambers, the commission relied on an interim ex parte forfeiture order granted on February 12, 2026, but that order, under the law, had a lifespan of only 14 days and expired without renewal before the EFCC commenced its operation at the property on June 29.

The lawyers contended that no fresh order authorising continued occupation of the residence was obtained before the operation began. They argued that if the commission possesses such an order, it should make it public.

The petitions further stated that on July 3, 2026, the Federal High Court ordered all parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending determination of the substantive proceedings.

According to the legal team, the order was served on and acknowledged by the EFCC, yet the commission allegedly failed to restore the conditions that existed before its operation, including the restoration of utilities and unrestricted access to the residence by family members and lawyers.

The lawyers argued that disagreement with a court order cannot justify ignoring it, insisting that any agency dissatisfied with a judicial decision must seek redress through the courts rather than through continued physical occupation of disputed property.

Addressing the ownership dispute itself, the petitions stated that Rebecca purchased the Guzape land from Architect Richard Idakwogi John of Rychado Homes, paid valuable consideration and subsequently constructed the residence with her own resources.

The legal team noted that ownership claims relating to the property remain before competent Nigerian courts and argued that those proceedings should be allowed to run their course without exposing the occupants to hardship before a final judicial determination is made.

They further contended that Rebecca had not been convicted of any criminal offence and that no court had awarded ownership of the completed residence to any other claimant.

In the petitions, the lawyers challenged the EFCC to explain the legal basis for the continued occupation of the residence, the alleged disconnection of water, electricity and cooking gas, the reported restriction of access to food and medication, the limitation placed on family and legal visits, and the commission’s compliance with the Federal High Court’s order.

They argued that the existence of a criminal investigation does not suspend constitutional guarantees protecting the rights to life, dignity, liberty and fair hearing.

The petitions also warned of the psychological impact of the dispute on Rebecca’s children, saying they had been displaced from their home and deprived of normal access to their mother despite not being parties to the dispute.

According to the legal team, children should not bear the consequences of a legal disagreement between adults or government institutions.

As part of the reliefs sought, Oshomegie’s chambers called on the international organisations to engage Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the EFCC Chairman and the National Human Rights Commission, to facilitate an independent humanitarian assessment of everyone inside the residence.

The lawyers also requested the immediate restoration of water, electricity, cooking gas, food, medical assistance, unrestricted family access and confidential access to legal counsel.

They further urged full compliance with the Federal High Court’s order, an independent investigation into the reported collapse of the worker, and protection against any form of retaliation against Rebecca, her family, witnesses and legal representatives.

The petitions concluded that the dispute should ultimately be resolved by the courts, but argue that no property litigation should result in the deprivation of fundamental human rights or place lives at risk.

Former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, has warned that Atiku Abubakar’s determination to contest the 2027 presidential election could endanger Nigeria’s democracy and inflame ethnic tensions.

Okechukwu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, urged the former vice president to abandon his presidential ambition and allow power to remain in the South.

Speaking on Arise News on Monday, he said his appeal was not driven by partisan politics but by concern for Nigeria’s fledgling democracy and the survival of a strong opposition.

‘Atiku Abubakar is a man I respect a lot. What I am appealing to him is that he should consider the interest of the Nigerian state, our fledgling democracy, and withdraw,’ Okechukwu said.

He accused Atiku of breaching the Peoples Democratic Party’s power rotation convention by contesting its 2023 presidential primary after eight years of a northern presidency.

According to him, Atiku’s emergence inflicted heavy damage on the PDP and deepened the crisis that pushed influential members, including Nyesom Wike, towards the APC.

‘About three years ago, he did the same thing by breaching the rotation convention, and the collateral damage was heavy,’ he said.

Okechukwu argued that the PDP would have remained a stronger opposition force if Atiku had allowed a southern candidate to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

‘If he had allowed a Southerner to contest, even if the PDP had lost, the party could have remained strong,’ he added.

The APC stalwart acknowledged that zoning was not provided for in Nigeria’s Constitution but insisted that political conventions carried moral authority and helped preserve national unity.

He rejected arguments that zoning had worsened Nigeria’s ethnic divisions, warning that abandoning the arrangement could instead fuel resentment and dangerous ethnic mobilisation.

‘It did not divide Nigeria further, and it did not breed violence. The worst-case scenario is when you do not yield and begin to tell people that the South has come again. That is what I want to avoid,’ Okechukwu said.

He also defended the APC against criticism over the continued exclusion of the South-East from its presidential ticket, recalling that former President Muhammadu Buhari selected Chuba Okadigbo and Edwin Ume-Ezeoke as running mates in 2003 and 2007.

Okechukwu maintained that the South-East consistently supported the PDP but was eventually disappointed by Atiku’s refusal to respect the party’s zoning tradition.

Reiterating his call for Atiku to step aside, the APC chieftain warned that the former vice president’s description of the 2027 contest as his final opportunity made the situation more troubling.

‘When it is the last card in poker, the last card is always dangerous,’ he declared.

Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, has disclosed that the party’s presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, signed a formal agreement committing himself to a single four-year term if elected in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, the former Kano State governor said the arrangement was designed to ensure the presidency returns to the North after one term as part of the party’s power-sharing formula.

Kwankwaso expressed confidence that Obi would stand by the commitment.

‘Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,’ he said.

He also confirmed that the understanding was not merely verbal but documented.

‘We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,’ he said.

According to Kwankwaso, the agreement commits both leaders to work together to secure victory in 2027, after which Obi would complete a single four-year term before power shifts back to the North.

‘The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.’

He explained that his decision to accept the vice-presidential ticket was based on the shared belief that the South should occupy the presidency for only one term before the office rotates again.

‘Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North.

‘We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,’ he said.

On whether he would seek the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso declined to make any firm declaration, saying the immediate priority was the 2027 election while the party continued to develop its long-term strategy.

‘We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,’ he said.

Obi had earlier, in May, publicly declared that he would not remain in office beyond a single term if elected, describing the pledge as a step towards promoting national stability and unity.

‘I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years,’ Obi had said.

The NDC has repeatedly defended its zoning arrangement, arguing that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket reflects a balanced approach to regional representation as the country prepares for the 2027 presidential contest.

The presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Musa Kakaki, has fixed October 27, 2026, to rule on the admissibility of documents the prosecution is seeking to tender in the ongoing trial of property developer Olukayode Olusanya and his company, Oak Homes Ltd, over an alleged N152 million property dispute.

The date was fixed after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence on whether four offer letters, allegedly showing attempts to resell the disputed properties, could be admitted as evidence.

During the proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Chief Superintendent of Police Monday Omo-Osagie, called the third prosecution witness for the continuation of the trial.

The witness, who is also the nominal complainant, Engineer Anthony Ugbebor, travelled from the United States of America to testify.

Ugbebor told the court that he petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Lagos, on December 10, 2023, after concluding that Olukayode Olusanya had fraudulently handled the property transaction.

He said he entered into an agreement with the defendant in November 2017 after receiving assurances that Oak Homes was a reputable developer capable of delivering a retirement home in Nigeria.

According to him, he accepted the offer by signing and returning the agreement via email before making payments in line with the contract.

Explaining the arrangement, Ugbebor said: ‘The contract was structured as a performance milestone contract. In other words, the contract was based on verifiable, satisfactory and completed work at various stages of the project from start to finish.’

He told the court that he made four payments between November 2017 and December 2020, amounting to N152 million, representing 80 per cent of the N190 million purchase price for two second-floor flats in the building.

He said the money represented his life savings, equivalent to about 400,000 US dollars at the prevailing exchange rate.

‘I mentioned dollars because my income is in dollars. After the payment, the defendant started acting in a suspicious manner, basically taking my patience and simplicity for stupidity,’ he told the court.

According to him, the project was due for delivery on February 28, 2019. After construction stalled, he sent a representative to inspect the site on October 11, 2022.

However, when Ugbebor began referring to conversations between himself and his representative, defence counsel, Adeleke Agboola (SAN), objected, arguing that the witness was giving hearsay evidence.

‘He can only testify as to what he did, and not what someone else did,’ Agboola submitted.

Justice Kakaki observed that the testimony appeared to be hearsay.

However, Omo-Osagie argued that there were recognised exceptions under the Evidence Act that permitted the admission of hearsay evidence and urged the court to allow the testimony.

Ugbebor further testified that repeated efforts to reach the defendant by telephone and email were unsuccessful.

‘It now occurred to me that it appears the defendant is embarking on fraudulent activities. It was based on this that I reported the matter to the police,’ he said.

He alleged that the defendant claimed to have sold the properties without his authorisation. He added that he later discovered several offer letters showing the same apartments being marketed to other buyers at much higher prices.

He further alleged that by December 15, 2024, the defendant attempted to sell the same units for N560 million each.

According to him, one offer letter dated January 10, 2024, offered the properties for a total of N1.23 billion, while another dated January 11, 2024, quoted N950 million. A third letter dated February 5, 2024, listed the second-floor flats at N360 million each.

Summarising his complaint, Ugbebor told the court:

‘The defendant is trying to forcefully expel me from my property, reclaim it, put it back in the market at a price determined by him, sell the properties and put the money in his pocket, all without my consent and authorisation.’

He added: ‘I gave the developer my life savings after staying in America for over 38 years. I paid him N152 million, equivalent to about 400,000 dollars.’

The witness identified his statement to the police, which was admitted without objection as Exhibit 3.

He also identified payment receipts issued by the defendants, which were admitted in evidence without objection.

However, when the prosecution sought to tender the four offer letters allegedly showing attempts to resell the properties, Agboola objected.

He argued that the documents were inadmissible because they were neither authored by the witness nor addressed to him.

‘None of these documents was authored by this witness and none of them was addressed to him,’ Agboola submitted.

He further argued that at least three of the documents were photocopies and relied on Section 83(1)(b) of the Evidence Act, contending that the makers of the documents ought to be called as witnesses.

Agboola also relied on Section 83 of the Evidence Act, arguing that documents made while judicial proceedings were pending were generally inadmissible.

‘Section 83 of the Evidence Act prohibits the admissibility of any document made when proceedings are pending. These documents were all made in 2024 when both this criminal charge and the civil case were already pending. Even if the maker were present, the documents should not be admitted,’ he argued.

Counsel for the second defendant, Jude Ehiedu, aligned himself with the submissions of the first defendant’s counsel.

Responding, Omo-Osagie urged the court to dismiss the objections.

He relied on Section 15 of the Evidence Act, arguing that the documents were directly relevant to the facts in issue.

‘A cursory look at these documents will show that the offer letters were issued on the letterhead of Oak Homes and signed by the first defendant,’ the prosecutor submitted.

He also cited Supreme Court decisions in support of his argument and urged the court to admit the documents in evidence.

After hearing both sides, Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter until October 27, 2026, for a ruling on the admissibility of the disputed offer