Category: PM News

By Abiodun Lawal

Sen. Gbenga Daniel has expressed confidence in securing the All Progressive Congress (APC) ticket for Ogun East Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Daniel will be competing for the ticket against incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun.

But while speaking on Tuesday in Ijebu-Ode with newsmen, Daniel, also a former governor of Ogun State said he will beat Abiodun to the ticket overwhelmingly if the party conducted a free and fair primary election.

He spoke on the sideline of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Empowerment Programme.

But he alleged that some political actors plan to intimidate voters during the APC primary election in the district.

Daniel however, urged party members and supporters not to be discouraged by threats or harassment during the exercise.

According to him, Ogun East belongs to all members of the APC and nobody should be denied participation.

The former governor advised party faithful to come out en masse and vote during the primary election.

“Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly.

“Go to town and check with the people; ask them questions. You’re here; on your way out, go to the people, ask questions on who’s on the ground.

“What others depend on is that they’re going to do violence and scare people from coming out to vote.

“And that’s why I’m telling our people that they should not be deterred, they should come out and vote,” he said.

Daniel, who tasked residents to assess his popularity and contributions to the development of district, listed his achievements in the National Assembly to include the South-West Development Commission and a Naval Base in Ogun Waterside.

The senator also mentioned the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Ijebu-Ode among other constituency projects, saying he had consistently empowered people for over 30 years, even before venturing into politics.

He said his administration as governor between 2003 and 2011 remained a testament to his developmental capacity.

Stakeholders at the empowerment programme endorsed Daniel for a second term in the senate.

(NAN)

Nigerian digital creator and livestream personality George Emmanuel Chukwudi, popularly known as Star George, is officially set to begin his gaming livestream journey, marking a new phase in his online entertainment career.

According to information shared by the creator, the gaming livestream project is scheduled to begin tomorrow, a date he revealed was chosen in honor of his late mother’s birthday.

The announcement has already generated reactions among followers and supporters who have closely followed Star George’s rise through interactive livestream content and digital entertainment activities across social media platforms.

Speaking about the new direction, Star George confirmed that his gaming streams will feature multiple titles, including Grand Theft Auto (GTA), EA Sports FC 26, WWE 2K26, alongside several other trending games expected to appeal to a broad gaming audience.

The expansion into gaming content reflects the increasing growth of livestream gaming culture among African digital creators, particularly within Nigeria’s fast-growing online entertainment community.

Industry observers note that creators with strong livestream engagement backgrounds often transition effectively into gaming entertainment due to their existing online communities and ability to sustain audience interaction during long-form broadcasts.

Supporters also believe the emotional significance attached to the launch date may create a deeper connection between the creator and his audience as he begins the project.

Over the past few years, Star George has continued building visibility through live digital interactions, earning recognition among audiences interested in entertainment-driven livestream experiences.

With gaming livestreaming becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in global online entertainment, many followers are now anticipating the official launch of Star George’s gaming sessions and the type of interactive content he plans to introduce.

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), on Tuesday sealed-off an outlet of Dominion Pizza in Lekki, Eti-Osa area of the state over alleged indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage overfilled septic tank into the environment and public drains.

Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources announced this in a statement on his social media handles on Tuesday.

He said the Domino Pizza outlet was sealed for causing environmental nuisance, offensive odour, as well as endangering human health.

Wahab revealed that the action followed a complaint received from a concerned resident and a thorough investigation of the claim against the fast food outlet.

He also reiterated the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices.

According to him, any individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws.

The short statement by Wahab reads: “Following a complaint received from a concerned resident and a thorough investigation, the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), on Wednesday 12th May, 2026, sealed-off Dominion Pizza at No. 38B, Freedom Way, Lekki, Eti-Osa, Lagos, over indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage from its chamber due to an overfilled septic tank into the environment and public drains, causing environmental nuisance, offensive odour, as well as endangering human health.

“@followlasg reiterates the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices, noting that any individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws.

“For reports on environmental infractions, the Agency can be reached via its official lines: 08022022397, 07025332163.

Nollywood on Tuesday as actors and filmmakers took to social media to mourn the tragic death of popular actor Alex Ekubo.

The shocking news of the actor’s passing left fans and colleagues devastated, with many struggling to come to terms with the loss of one of Nollywood’s most loved personalities. Alex Ekubo reportedly died at the age of 40.

Several stars shared emotional tributes filled with pain, memories, and disbelief as they reflected on moments spent with the late actor.

Award-winning actress Funke Akindele also reacted emotionally to the news on Instagram, sharing a short but painful tribute that captured her shock and sadness.

Actor Bolanle Ninalowo, who is currently in the United States, also joined colleagues in mourning the late movie star.

Fans across social media platforms also flooded comment sections with tears, prayers, and emotional messages, describing Ekubo as a talented actor whose smile, charm, and energy lit up screens and touched many lives.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed an appeal against the judgment delivered on 5 May 2026 by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which awarded 100 million in damages in favour of officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), a judgment SERAP considers to be “a travesty and a miscarriage of justice.”

The appeal, filed last Friday, 8 May 2026, by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, on behalf of SERAP, is accompanied by an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal, challenging what SERAP describes as “a legally flawed decision resulting in a miscarriage of justice.”

SERAP said, “the Notice of Appeal already filed will be amended upon receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgment to incorporate key portions of the judgment that further highlight its flawed nature. Pending this, the appeal and the accompanying application for stay of execution already filed and served provide adequate legal protection for our organisation.”

Justice Yusuf Halilu had in his judgment last week ordered SERAP to pay 100 million in damages to the DSS officials for alleged defamation, issue public apologies, pay 1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 percent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until fully paid.

In its Notice of Appeal, SERAP is arguing that “the decision rests on fundamental legal and evidential errors that go to the root of jurisdiction and fairness in adjudication. The court’s decision is therefore perverse and a nullity.”

SERAP said, “the trial court relied on defective evidence, including a witness statement that was not sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths, which ought to have been discountenanced. The court’s reliance on such evidence substantially affected the outcome of the case.”

SERAP is therefore asking the Court of Appeal for: “an order allowing the appeal; an order setting aside the entire judgment of the High Court of the FCT delivered on 5 May 2026; and an order dismissing the substantive suit (CV/4547/2024) in its entirety for lacking merit.”

SERAP is arguing that, “the appeal is not merely about the outcome of the case, but about whether a court can validly sustain proceedings founded on a defective originating process, or impose liability where the legal thresholds for defamation have not been met.”

According to SERAP, “the judgment is legally defective, procedurally flawed, and unsupported by evidence, raising substantial questions of jurisdiction, defamation law, and constitutional and international fair trial standards.”

SERAP is arguing that, “the court failed to apply the well-established objective test in defamation law, relying instead on subjective perceptions within the DSS rather than the understanding of ordinary members of the public.”

By Nehru Odeh

A Liberian boy, identified as John K. Ndorbor, has murdered his father, Joseph K. Ndorbor, a government schoolteacher, with an axe on a cocoa farm in Yangbelahun Town, Kolahun District, Lofa County, in Liberia.

Family members have disclosed that the lad, who is being held at an undisclosed location for security reasons, has confessed to the crime

Reports have it that father and son went to their cocoa farm on Sunday to work on it. However. people suspected foul play when John returned to town alone later that day

When locals asked about his father’s whereabouts, John reportedly said his father had threatened to kill him while they were working on the farm, and that he ran away after his father chased him with a cutlass. John then added that his father later fell and accidentally cut his own neck.

“That is why I came to town to explain. I first told my sister,” a local chief quoted John as saying.

However, the police were notified and an investigation launched. According to reports, the investigators noticed injuries on the deceased’s chin and neck were inconsistent with John’s claims, raising doubts about his account.

Family sources gave a different account, which lent credence to the fact that John actually murdered his father. According to reports, father and son had gone to the farm on Sunday to harvest cocoa from separate areas of the farm. Trouble reportedly started after the father harvested more cocoa than his son.

The son is accused of secretly switching the cocoa bags by placing rotten cocoa in his father’s pile while taking the better harvest for himself. The father later discovered the switch, which led to an argument between them. The disagreement quickly turned violent, and the son allegedly attacked his father, causing his death.The incident has sent shock waves through the county.

However, a 15-member jury headed by Morris D. Teah was formed to examine the matter. The jury reportedly observed signs of possible foul play, noting w0unds on the deceased’s chin and neck which they believe do not match the son’s version.

Following examination, the family requested the release of the body for burial, and police granted the request.

Meanwhile, the accused remains in police custody as investigations continue.

However, in a related development, Ellen Joseph, daughter of the deceased, has posted a deeply emotional message on her Facebook page, where she accused her younger brother of killing her father.

Overwhelmed with grief and betrayal, she wrote, “Thanks for killing our father. Daddy loved you with all his heart, all you could do is to put everlasting pain in my heart.”

And she went on to say in the comment section, “It shall never be well with you.”

The incident has gone viral, with many expressing shock and disappointment.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned opposition political actors that pushing for the 2027 presidential ticket to be zoned to the South would be self-defeating and could guarantee the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement from his camp, Atiku argued that the strategy of fielding a southern opposition candidate in 2027 is unrealistic, claiming that Nigerian political history offers no precedent for a southern opposition candidate successfully unseating a southern incumbent.

“At the core of the question is: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president?” the statement read. “Nigerian political history offers no precedent for such an outcome. To insist otherwise is to enter the contest already defeated.”

Instead, Atiku’s camp implied that if the opposition insists on zoning to the South, it might be better for them to let Tinubu run again instead of trying to field an opposition candidate from the same region, as this approach would lack the necessary strategic viability to unseat the incumbent.

The statement further criticized the push for Southern zoning, calling it “intellectually dishonest” and a reactionary decision that disregards the realities of the political landscape. “Defeating an incumbent president requires realism, not romanticism; strategy, not sentiment; honesty, not selective memory,” it read. Atiku’s camp urged the opposition to choose between making a symbolic political statement or actually winning power.

On the question of equity, often used by proponents of a southern presidency, Atiku’s camp rejected the argument, noting that by 2027, the South would have held presidential power for 18 years, compared to just 10 years for the North. “It becomes difficult to understand the justice in an argument that seeks to deepen an already existing imbalance under the guise of equity,” the statement said.

Additionally, Atiku’s camp reminded critics of the selective memory of those now calling for southern zoning, pointing out that many of them had previously supported a Southern presidency in 2011 under Goodluck Jonathan despite the North’s rightful expectation. “It is intellectually dishonest for those who supported a Southern presidency in 2011 to now posture as custodians of rotational justice,” the statement added.

While Atiku’s camp affirmed the Southeast’s legitimate aspiration to produce a president, they criticized what they called “transactional political bargaining” or “symbolic tokenism” aimed at serving individual ambitions rather than creating a sustainable, credible path for the region.

“Principles do not become sacred only when they align with personal ambition,” the statement concluded, urging the opposition to build a credible national coalition capable of defeating Tinubu at the polls rather than getting bogged down in divisive debates about zoning.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, andgteorge said the N4.444 trillion 2026 budget signed into law by Governor “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” was strategically designed to drive infrastructure sustainability, economic diversification, institutional reforms and inclusive social development.

According to him, the budget comprises N2.338 trillion capital expenditure and N2.106 trillion recurrent expenditure, representing a 53:47 capital-to-recurrent ratio aimed at accelerating economic activities and improving residents’ quality of life.

The commissioner explained that about N1.467 trillion has been allocated to critical infrastructure projects spanning transportation, healthcare, education and public works.

He identified major projects including the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and the Eti-Osa/Lekki/Epe Expressway Phase IIB as key infrastructure initiatives expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity and stimulate investment across strategic economic corridors.

George said the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge would provide an alternative transport route linking communities such as Mende and Maryland to Ikeja’s commercial districts, thereby easing pressure on heavily congested roads including Kudirat Abiola Way and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.

He added that the project is expected to boost commercial activities, improve logistics efficiency, encourage urban renewal and increase property values within the axis.

On housing delivery, the commissioner disclosed that the state government is prioritising the completion of several housing projects targeted at low- and middle-income earners.

The projects include the 504-unit LAGOSHOMS Sangotedo Phase II, Epe Housing Scheme, Ibeshe Phase II, Late Abdul-Wahab Oke Benson Estate, LAGOSHOMS Ajara-Badagry and the Egan Mixed Housing Scheme.

According to George, the housing schemes are aimed at reducing the housing deficit and expanding access to affordable accommodation across Lagos.

He further revealed that N87 billion has been allocated to food security initiatives, including the Lagos Wholesale Produce Hub, while N35 billion was earmarked for tourism-related infrastructure projects such as the Badagry Point of No Return and the Lagos Heritage Centre.

The commissioner also disclosed that N112 billion would be invested in energy and power projects to improve productivity, reduce operational downtime and strengthen the competitiveness of the state economy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to use more than 1.4 million ad hoc workers, mainly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known during a visit by top INEC officials to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja.

According to him, the number is higher than the 1.2 million temporary workers used during the 2023 elections.

Amupitan praised corps members for their hard work, discipline, neutrality, and ability to use election technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He said corps members made up almost 90 percent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states during the 2023 elections and helped protect the voting process across 176,846 polling units nationwide.

The INEC chairman also assured the NYSC that the commission would improve insurance, welfare, and security arrangements for corps members taking part in election duties.

INEC explained that corps members have been important to election operations since 1999, mostly serving as presiding officers and registration officers at polling units across the country.

The commission revealed that over 70 percent of the 1.2 million ad hoc staff used in the 2023 elections were corps members and student volunteers.

For the 2027 elections, INEC said it would need 707,384 corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and another 707,384 workers for the Governorship and State Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.

Additional staff will also be required for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano states.

INEC recently changed the election timetable after the Electoral Act 2022 was replaced by the Electoral Act 2026.

The commission also told the National Assembly earlier this year that it would need about N873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 elections and another N171 billion for its operations in 2026.

The proposed budget is much higher than the N313.4 billion used for the 2023 general elections.

Farouk Aliyu, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged opposition parties to unite behind a single presidential candidate if they aim to challenge the APC in the upcoming 2027 elections. He referenced the successful strategy used by the APC in 2015 to defeat former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a recent interview on ARISE News, Aliyu commented on the current divisions within opposition parties, advising them to set aside their differences and rally behind one candidate.

“If they really want to contest or, I mean, if they want to give us real opposition, they should forget about their differences,” Aliyu said. “I’m giving free advice now. Forget about differences. Let them rally around one person, all of them, and then beat us head-on.”

Reflecting on the APC’s 2015 victory, Aliyu explained that despite internal disagreements, party leaders rallied behind Muhammadu Buhari. “That’s exactly what we did when we defeated Jonathan. Not everybody wanted Buhari, but in the wisdom of the leaders, they said, let’s put Buhari forward,” Aliyu recalled.

According to Aliyu, if the opposition wants to be competitive in 2027, they need to adopt a similar approach. “So probably if they decide on Jonathan, Atiku, or anybody, if all of them come together and one person amongst them, then that’s when they can challenge us,” he said.

Aliyu dismissed claims that the APC was responsible for the internal struggles facing opposition parties. “What is the fault of APC? Nothing. It’s none of our business. If they cannot come together in the interest of this country, come together and oppose us, so that they can defeat us,” he stated.

He emphasized that the final decision rests with Nigerians, not the APC. “At the end of the day, Nigerians will decide whether it is Tinubu or anybody else. But nobody should blame us, the APC, for the misfortune of these other parties,” Aliyu concluded.