Category: PM News

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have raided a suspected terrorists’ hideout in Peva, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba, and arrested five suspected associates of a fleeing bandit.

The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS Headquarters JTF, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Makurdi, Benue.

Zubairu said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday following credible intelligence received by troops at about 12:30 a.m.

He said troops of Sector 1, in collaboration with those of Sector 3, both operating under OPWS, swiftly mobilised and launched a precision raid on the identified hideout.

According to him, the suspected terrorists fled the location before the arrival of the troops, apparently after being alerted by informants.

He said the troops subsequently conducted a thorough search of the area, leading to the arrest of five persons suspected to be associates of the fleeing bandits.

Zubairu said the troops, during the operation, recovered two AK-47 rifle magazines and 46 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

He said that the operatives also had other items, including one woodland camouflage jacket, a jungle hat, four charm vests and assorted charms.

Zubairu said the arrest and recovery of the items had provided the security forces with useful leads to apprehending other members of the criminal gang.

He said OPWS would sustain intelligence-driven operations to maintain pressure on the terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements across its Joint Operations Area.

The acting media information officer reassured residents of Taraba and other parts of the operational area of the task force’s determination to restore law and order in the area. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security forces to aid ongoing operations.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the growing sophistication of Artificial Intelligence-driven disinformation, warning that the technology could pose a major threat to the credibility of the 2027 general election.

The commission said the success of the election would depend not only on the integrity of the ballot, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result sheets, but also on how much Nigerians understand and trust information about the electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, who was represented by National Commissioner Sani Adams (SAN), raised the concern during the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) held at the National Open University Conference Centre, Abuja.

The conference, themed ‘Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruption and the New Dynamics of Electoral Communication,’ focused on the growing impact of technology on democratic processes.

Amupitan said artificial intelligence had made it easier and cheaper to create manipulated videos, audio recordings and images capable of misleading voters before such content could be verified.

He warned that the challenge was not limited to fake content alone, but also included the ability of digital platforms to target different groups of voters with conflicting messages, making it difficult to maintain a shared understanding of facts during elections.

According to him, previous electoral cycles in Africa, including Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, witnessed the circulation of manipulated political content, showing the urgent need for stronger safeguards ahead of 2027.

The INEC chairman said the commission’s credibility now depended heavily on ensuring that electoral information was properly communicated and trusted by citizens.

He explained that the introduction of BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) was aimed at reducing doubts around election transparency by allowing citizens to view polling unit results before final collation.

However, he admitted that the 2023 election exposed challenges with technology, noting that systems must be reliable, properly understood and honestly explained whenever problems occur.

Amupitan disclosed that INEC was conducting a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems, including system redundancy checks, penetration testing and disaster recovery plans.

He added that the commission was considering a mock presidential election ahead of 2027 to test accreditation processes, result transmission and viewing systems under conditions similar to election day.

The INEC chairman also revealed that the commission had proposed a significant budget allocation for technology and election operations, including the replacement of accreditation devices lost or damaged during previous elections.

He said while the full release of funds was still being awaited, INEC’s ICT team had already begun engagements with manufacturers as preparations continued.

Amupitan outlined measures the commission plans to adopt ahead of 2027, including faster responses to false information, improved public communication about electoral systems, stronger partnerships with media organisations and fact-checkers, and increased voter education.

He noted that Nigeria’s 2027 electorate would be younger and more dependent on smartphones for political information, making digital literacy and reliable communication more important than ever.

The commission assured Nigerians that its response to misinformation would focus on providing accurate and timely information rather than limiting legitimate journalism or civic discussions.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, will on Monday, September 7, 2026, commence the Year 2027 Budget Consultative Forum, with the Ikeja Division leading the opening session.

The annual five-day consultation, to be held across the five divisions of the State, is part of the Administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and shared prosperity, providing residents and stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute their views, needs and aspirations to the State’s development priorities and fiscal planning for the 2027 financial year.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, will lead Management staff and officers of the Ministry in hosting the consultations across the five divisions of the State, collectively known as IBILE; Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

The opening session at Ikeja Division, will be hosted at the Multipurpose Hall, Radio Lagos, Agidingbi, kicking off at 10:00 a.m. prompt.

The forum will bring together government officials, traditional rulers, Community Development Committees/Associations, professional and religious bodies, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, trade associations, youth and women groups, private-sector stakeholders, People Living With Disabilities (PLWD), and members of the public.

The consultative engagement will provide a platform for stakeholders across the divisions to identify priority areas, articulate community needs and offer recommendations that will help shape policies, programmes and projects in the 2027 budget.

The consultations across the five IBILE divisions are designed to deepen citizen participation in the State’s budgetary process and ensure that the concerns and aspirations of residents continue to inform government’s development planning and resource allocation.

Political tension is beginning to emerge within the Kebbi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The development followed Governor Nasir Idris’ decision to replace his deputy, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, with former Commissioner for Finance, Ibrahim Muhammad Augie, as his running mate for the 2027 election.

The decision has put Governor Idris, Tafida and Augie at the centre of a fresh political controversy.

The announcement was made on Sunday at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi by the APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, during a visit by stakeholders from the Argungu Emirate to the governor.

Argungu said the decision was based on legal advice concerning Tafida’s eligibility to remain on the governor’s ticket for the 2027 election.

He said the APC considered legal issues arising from the 2023 governorship election before choosing Augie as Idris’ new running mate.

According to him, Tafida understood and accepted the decision, adding that there was no disagreement between the governor and his deputy.

However, the claim was later disputed by Tafida’s aide, Yahaya Danjadda, the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on New Media.

Danjadda said Tafida was not consulted before Augie was presented as the new running mate.

He described the claim that the deputy governor agreed to the decision as an attempt to damage Tafida’s reputation.

Why Tafida was replaced

After the 2023 governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Aminu Bande, challenged the APC’s victory in court.

One of the issues raised in the case was an allegation that Tafida submitted a forged secondary school testimonial.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the allegation in November 2023 and upheld Idris’ election.

The matter was later taken to the Supreme Court, which affirmed Idris’ election on January 19, 2024.

Argungu said the APC’s decision to replace Tafida was based on legal advice concerning his eligibility to contest again alongside Governor Idris in 2027.

However, the APC has not publicly explained the specific legal issue that would prevent Tafida from remaining on the ticket.

Tafida has now rejected claims that the Supreme Court judgment was the reason for his replacement.

The deputy governor spoke on Wednesday in Argungu when supporters, political associates and well-wishers visited him following the announcement.

Tafida said linking his replacement directly to the outcome of the 2023 election case was an attempt to damage his political image.

He said he had accepted the decision as part of the realities of politics but rejected what he described as a false explanation for his removal from the 2027 ticket.

Tafida said using the issue raised during the election tribunal proceedings and later decided by the Supreme Court as a reason to replace him was ‘totally unbecoming and bogus.’

He accused those promoting the narrative of trying to tarnish his reputation and said he would continue to explain his side of the matter.

Despite his concerns, Tafida said he had no objection to the political change if it would strengthen the APC and improve the party’s chances in the 2027 election.

He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm, saying political positions were temporary and could change.

The controversy does not mean Tafida has been removed from his current position as Deputy Governor of Kebbi State. It only concerns his replacement as Governor Idris’ running mate on the APC’s 2027 governorship ticket.

The campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has broken its silence over a viral video showing a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, sitting on his lap during an interaction at his campaign office.

The campaign team said the incident was a misunderstanding that had been taken out of context, insisting that there was no inappropriate motive behind the encounter.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, the students, who were from the Department of Banking and Finance at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, visited Alli’s office in Mokola, Ibadan, to invite him to their programme and conduct an interview with him.

The campaign said the number of students present exceeded the available seating capacity, forcing Alli to ask one of the students to sit on his lap so the engagement could continue.

The explanation followed widespread reactions after the video circulated online, with some social media users questioning the interaction between the politician and the student.

In the footage, Alli was seen with the student seated on his lap, while he also briefly touched the student’s lap, a gesture that triggered different interpretations online.

However, the campaign team condemned what it described as attempts to ‘sexualise’ the encounter, accusing critics of attaching misleading meanings to an ordinary interaction.

‘It is deeply unfortunate that political desperation has descended to this level, where an ordinary interaction between a fatherly political leader and students who came to seek support for their programme is deliberately twisted into something sordid,’ the campaign said.

The team described Alli’s action as ‘a spontaneous and fatherly gesture’, adding that those familiar with the senator’s relationship with young people understood his character.

It urged Nigerians to disregard what it called false narratives surrounding the video, while calling on media organisations and social media users to avoid spreading content capable of damaging reputations.

The campaign maintained that the 2027 Oyo governorship election should be focused on development, competence and issues affecting residents rather than what it described as ‘cheap political blackmail.’

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s democratic credentials, saying the ruling party’s loss of the Osun governorship election shows that democracy is taking firmer root in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu said this on Thursday at the seventh annual lecture organised by Freedom Online at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, where he discussed Nigeria’s democracy and preparations for the 2027 elections.

He cited the August 15 Osun election, which was won by Governor Ademola Adeleke of another political party, as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles. Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by more than 60,000 votes.

Tinubu congratulated Adeleke after the election, describing his victory as a ‘fitting assurance’ that democracy would continue to flourish under his administration. He later met the governor at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and urged him to unite the state.

‘There was a time in this country when ‘federal might’ was a phrase that a ruling party used without irony,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

‘Under this President, the ruling party can lose a state in the South-West in an election year, and the sky does not fall. That is what a maturing democracy looks like.

‘This President is a lifelong democrat, and he means to leave behind a stronger democracy than he inherited, not only for Nigerians but as an example to a continent that badly needs one.’

Sanwo-Olu said electoral reforms and technology had improved Nigeria’s electoral process but stressed the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fully prepared for 2027.

‘INEC must be ready in every polling unit on the 16th of January and again on the 6th of February, and each of us has a duty to help it be ready,’ he said.

The governor also warned politicians against violence and electoral malpractice, insisting that no political victory was worth a Nigerian life.

‘A mandate is only as strong as the process that produced it. No office in this land is worth the life of a single Nigerian and no victory won by the wrong means is a victory at all,’ he said.

He urged voters to judge governors by their performance and challenged the media to hold political leaders accountable, including those within their own ranks.

‘I am not asking for a compliant press.

‘A compliant press is of no use to a democracy; it flatters the powerful and abandons the public,’ he said.

‘I am asking for a rigorous press. Check the facts, mine included. Call out disinformation wherever it comes from, including from my own side.

‘In the weeks ahead, the most dangerous lies will not come from newspapers. They will come from anonymous accounts and doctored videos and you are the institution best placed to answer them.’

The Senate has moved to reassure Nigerians that the ongoing constitutional amendment process will not be abandoned or delayed because of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The assurance came amid concerns that the review exercise could suffer the fate of previous attempts, which failed after years of deliberation despite huge public resources committed to the process.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the 10th National Assembly remained committed to completing the amendment before its tenure expires in June 2027.

Adaramodu dismissed fears that the election season would distract lawmakers from the process, insisting that the January 2027 polls would not mark the end of legislative activities.

‘The proposed constitution amendments, already started by the 10th National Assembly, shall be passed in the life of this current Assembly,’ he said.

‘January is not the terminal date of the 10th National Assembly, but June 2027.’

The senator also said the recently passed Electoral Act had addressed issues surrounding the conduct of the 2027 general elections, giving lawmakers enough time to continue with other legislative responsibilities.

The constitutional amendment process, which covers proposals on governance, political restructuring and other areas of national development, requires approval by both chambers of the National Assembly and endorsement by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly.

Previous constitutional review exercises have failed after failing to secure the required support from state legislatures, raising concerns that the current process could face similar setbacks as political interests shift towards the 2027 elections.

The Senate’s latest position follows comments by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who said election preparations would not prevent lawmakers from carrying out their constitutional duties.

Akpabio maintained that lawmakers could balance political engagements with legislative responsibilities despite increasing activities ahead of the polls.

The Nigerian Army has assured citizens that its personnel will maintain strict neutrality and professionalism, and adherence to constitutional mandates when called upon to support civil authorities during the 2027 elections.

?The Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala , Brig.-Gen. Friday Onu, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abeokuta at a sensitisation lecture on the conduct of the Nigerian Army personnel during the 2027 elections.

?Onu stated that the engagement was designed to re-anchor personnel on their constitutional roles, ensuring they remain apolitical, non-partisan, and disciplined before, during, and after the polls.

?He explained that the primary responsibility of military personnel deployed for election duties was to support the lead internal security agencies in maintaining a safe, peaceful environment for voters.

?According to him, the session focused on the defence headquarters’ code of conduct for armed forces personnel during elections, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, and strict adherence to rules of engagement.

?’The Nigerian Army remains apolitical, non-partisan, and professional at all times.

?’Army leadership maintains zero tolerance for political bias, operational overreach, and indiscipline. Any breach of guidelines will not be tolerated,’ Onu warned.

?He expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, for approving the exercise, describing it as a testament to the military leadership’s commitment to operational readiness and discipline.

?In his keynote address, the Special Guest of Honour, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, commended the Army hierarchy for extending the training to sister security agencies.

?Gbadebo noted that no single security institution could independently handle the complex challenges of a national election, emphasising that joint engagements build synergy and strengthen inter-agency collaboration.

?He urged participants to internalise the directives, noting that public confidence in the armed forces depended on their conduct under pressure.

?He added that the ultimate objective of election security was to safeguard an environment where citizens could exercise their franchise freely and without intimidation.

‘Our collective conduct must strengthen public confidence and demonstrate that the security institutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remain loyal to the constitution and to all Nigerians,’ he said.

Col. Olusegun Oladuntoye (Rtd), the Guest Lecturer, noted that the essence of the seminar was to re-emphasise the role of the military in a democracy.

‘Democracy is about 27 years old in Nigeria, and we have seen the role played by the Nigeria military in strengthening our territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Nigeria state,’ he said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to allow Adeniyi Adeyemi, the embattled Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), access to his lawyers while in custody.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday while ruling on a fundamental rights suit filed by Adeyemi, who is facing criminal charges over allegations surrounding the controversial agency.

The court, however, declined to immediately grant Adeyemi’s request for release, bail and access to medical treatment, directing the respondents to explain within 72 hours why the remaining demands should not be granted.

The case was adjourned until September 9 for the police and the AGF to respond.

Adeyemi had asked the court to order his release from custody, grant him bail pending the determination of the suit, and stop the police from interrogating him or obtaining statements from him without his lawyers present.

While the court refused to grant the wider reliefs at this stage, it approved his request to meet with legal representatives at reasonable hours while remaining in custody.

Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July after a Federal High Court issued a bench warrant following his failure to appear for arraignment.

He is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation linked to his claim of heading the PFIPC, an organisation the Federal Government has denied establishing.

Prosecutors alleged that Adeyemi forged official documents, including an appointment letter purportedly issued by President Bola Tinubu and signed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.

Adeyemi has denied the allegations and maintained that the PFIPC exists.

The development comes as the House of Representatives continues its investigation into the controversial council after its inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The committee had earlier reported that it found no valid law or presidential directive establishing the PFIPC.

It also said the appointment documents linked to Adeyemi were not genuine and claimed its investigation uncovered 58 bank accounts and 12 entities connected to him.

The Kuje Amuwo Chieftaincy Family has urged the Nigeria Police Force to urgently conclude an investigation into allegations arising from a protracted land dispute involving a large parcel of land in the 6th and 7th Avenue area of Festac Extension, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State.

The family said its petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had been approved for investigation, with the Police Monitoring Unit, Lagos Branch, Obalende, handling the matter. Inspector Ifajimi is reportedly the Investigating Police Officer (IPO). However, the family expressed concern that the investigation has yet to produce a conclusion, despite its commencement, and appealed to the police authorities to expedite the process.

In the petition, the family alleged that the Lagos State Task Force on Land Matters had been involved in activities which it described as harassment, intimidation and disruption of activities on the disputed property. It further alleged that the Task Force was being used by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and other interests in connection with the land. The allegations are contained in the petition submitted to the police and have not been established by a court.

The family said the dispute had a long history of litigation, dating back to issues surrounding land acquired by the Federal Government in connection with the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC). According to the petition, a charting exercise ordered by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation indicated that 4.017 hectares of the land fell within the area acquired for the Federal Housing Authority, while the family maintained that the remaining portion belonged to the Kuje Amuwo Chieftaincy Family.

The petition further stated that the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development released the unused portion of the land to the family in December 2010. It said subsequent attempts by alleged trespassers to encroach on the property led to litigation, with the Federal High Court, Lagos, granting an interlocutory injunction on February 29, 2016, and possession of the land on May 25, 2016. The matter subsequently went through the appellate courts and was eventually referred to the Lagos State High Court for retrial.

According to the petition, the case is currently before Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court, while the parties had previously explored an out-of-court settlement. The family also alleged that there are existing restraining orders and injunctions concerning activities on the property and urged all parties and government agencies involved to respect the judicial process.

Against this background, the family is now calling on the IGP and the Police Monitoring Unit, Obalende, to bring the investigation to a conclusion and communicate the outcome to the relevant parties. It said prolonged uncertainty over the investigation was adding to the difficulties surrounding a dispute that had already remained before the courts for years.

The family also appealed for an end to any alleged harassment or disruption of legitimate activities around the property pending the determination of the matter. It specifically called for the removal of a makeshift office allegedly mounted at the entrance of Early Life Gate and urged the Federal Housing Authority and other parties to pursue the dispute through due process rather than self-help.

The development has consequently placed renewed attention on the police investigation approved by the IGP, with the family awaiting the findings of Inspector Ifajimi and the Police Monitoring Unit.

It is seeking a timely conclusion, saying that only a clear outcome from the investigation and the ongoing judicial process can help bring the longstanding dispute to an end.