Category: PM News

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress is fully prepared for the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the ruling party will secure victory across Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu made the declaration after inspecting the APC presidential and governorship campaign offices on Monday to assess preparations ahead of the polls.

According to the governor, the party’s campaign structure is already taking shape, with strategic planning and mobilisation underway.

‘The campaign committee is fully in its element, mapping out the road ahead and sharpening our strategy,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, Lagos governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and other candidates flying the party’s flag were fully committed to the campaign.

Sanwo-Olu said he was encouraged by what he described as the seriousness and organisation already evident within the campaign structure.

‘There is serious, structured work happening behind the scenes,’ he said.

The governor added that the level of energy and coordination among party members had strengthened his confidence in the APC’s chances in the state.

‘I am encouraged by the energy and sense of purpose,’ Sanwo-Olu stated.

He said the party was ‘focused, aligned and ready to win across the board,’ insisting that the APC would also continue to build on its development record in Lagos.

‘Together, we will keep building on Lagos’s momentum and pushing our state forward,’ he added.

The declaration comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with campaign structures, mobilisation teams and strategic committees already taking shape across the country

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ogun says it has dismantled drug black spots in the state.This is contained in a statement in Abeokuta on Monday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Haris Musa.

According to the statement, the command has continued to intensify operations to dismantle identified drug black spots across the state.

Musa explained that the operation, code-named ‘Operation Restore Order’, is a nationwide coordinated exercise launched by the NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa (Rtd).

He said the operation had led operatives to conduct targeted raids on several identified drug black spots in Abeokuta, including Mayas, Miami in Panseke, Onion Market in Eleweran, MKO Stadium, and Kuto Park.

‘Other locations targeted include WAPCO in Lafenwa, where the command conducted coordinated operations aimed at disrupting illicit drug activities and dismantling drug networks. The coordinated operations are aimed at reclaiming public spaces being used for drug trafficking and abuse,’ he said.

The NDLEA spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to its statutory mandate of protecting communities and denying illicit drug activities a foothold across Ogun state.

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has sharply criticised the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company, BAECC, over what he described as the poor handling of the Benin-Asaba highway.

Umahi made the remarks during an on-the-spot assessment of the road in Benin City, accusing the concessionaire of lacking technical competence to execute a major highway project.

The minister was particularly angered by the removal of existing asphalt without the construction of adequate side drains before work commenced, saying the action had worsened the condition of the road.

His assessment followed mounting complaints over the deplorable state of the highway, with motorists reportedly stranded for days at different failed portions.

The Benin-Asaba highway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for transformation into a 10-lane expressway. In October 2025, the concessionaire assured the project would be completed within the agreed timeframe.

Umahi who said the manner of handling the project had raised serious concerns, threatened to arrest the contractor for destroying public property.

‘The concessionaire should have been arrested for allegedly destroying public property. The Ministry of Works did not authorise the removal of asphalt from the existing road,’ he said.

‘The Ministry of Works does not allow removal of asphalt. We begged them not to remove it. This road was not like this when it was handed over. I am instructing the ministry to arrest any concessionaire that removes asphalt from existing roads,’ Umahi added.

The minister also took responsibility for the ministry’s oversight.

‘I am disappointed with the concessionaire. I take full responsibility for their misdeed and destruction of public assets,’ he said.

Addressing BAECC CEO, Samuel Daramola, Umahi accused the company of manipulating the concession process and questioned its capacity.

‘You have no knowledge of road construction. You don’t know what you are doing. You have no technical staff or competence. The President has directed us to do whatever is possible to fix this road,’ he said.

Umahi blamed the government for failing to properly scrutinise concessionaires, warning that allowing inexperienced contractors to ‘learn on major public roads’ endangered road users.

‘This is dangerous. This is provocation at its highest level. It is a pity when people cannot pass the road,’ he said.

The minister disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the redesign of roads from Kogi through Edo to Warri, with concrete pavement being considered.

‘We need total reconstruction of this road and not this palliative’ he added.

Responding, Daramola who blamed heavy rainfall and traffic volume for the slow pace, said BAECC had expanded portions to eight lanes and done palliative works, but was forced to reopen sections before materials cured due to pressure from motorists.

‘We are wrestling with the weather. We have to choose between doing side drains and combating heavy traffic. We are compelled to open the road when it is yet to cure,’ Daramola said.

House of Representatives Committee on Works Chairman, Hon. Akin Alabi, called for a review of the concession agreement.

‘We cannot afford concessionaires who can be giving us issues. The people want to see good roads,’ he said.

Project Consultant, Engr. Toyin Akilapa, said BAECC ignored professional advice to construct drainage first.

‘We told them to first do the drains but they ignored us and that affected the road,’ he said.

Senator Allwell Onyeso described the road condition as ‘despicable’.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was present, commended President Tinubu for responding to concerns on the road and urged residents to disregard ‘opposition narratives on social media.’

He also commended the governor for intervening on several federal roads in the state.

Former President of Liberia, George Weah, has warned that democracy cannot survive on elections alone.

He said strong democratic institutions, an independent judiciary and a legal profession willing to hold those in power accountable are necessary for democracy to thrive.

Weah spoke while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference, themed ‘Beyond Limits,’ brought together lawyers, judges, policymakers and other stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond.

According to Weah, elections are only the beginning of democracy and do not, on their own, guarantee good governance.

He said the judiciary and parliament must remain strong enough to check the excesses of elected leaders.

‘Democracy does not survive on the strength of elections alone. Elections are the doorway into democracy, not the house itself,’ Weah said.

He warned that even a leader who wins a free and fair election could later become authoritarian by weakening the judiciary, legislature and other democratic institutions.

‘A tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant,’ he declared.

Weah said threats to democracy do not only come from military coups or politicians who refuse to accept election results.

He noted that elected governments could also threaten democracy by putting pressure on judges, weakening institutions or turning legislatures into ‘echo chambers’ for the executive.

The former Liberian president stressed that the rule of law must protect all citizens equally, regardless of their political connections or social status.

He said a weak or compromised judiciary could damage public trust and have negative effects on investment, security and peace.

Weah therefore urged Nigerian lawyers to protect judicial independence and ensure that courts remain places where citizens can seek justice without political interference.

The former football star also recalled his decision to concede defeat in Liberia’s 2023 presidential election.

He said he chose to respect the will of the people and protect the peace of his country rather than put his personal ambition above national interest.

According to him, political office should be seen as temporary service to the people and not as a possession worth fighting to retain at all costs.

Speaking earlier, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said the judiciary was essential to democratic governance because the courts provide a place where citizens can seek justice and protect their constitutional rights.

Fubara urged judges to remain courageous and honest in holding both government officials and citizens accountable to the constitution and the rule of law.

The governor recalled that Port Harcourt was initially scheduled to host the NBA conference in 2025 before an emergency declaration led to its relocation to Enugu.

He said the return of the conference to Port Harcourt represented the restoration of democratic institutions in Rivers State.

Fubara assured delegates of their safety and said his administration would continue to support judicial independence and access to justice.

He disclosed that his administration had increased access to justice by appointing more judges and establishing additional courts.

He also said a new Federal High Court building was expected to be handed over before the end of the year.

The governor pledged continued support for the administrative and financial independence of the state judiciary.

The outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, said the association deliberately returned its annual conference to Port Harcourt following the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.

He said the decision reflected the NBA’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law and strong democratic institutions.

Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu, has threatened to withdraw the certificates of recognition of traditional rulers if peace breaks down in their communities.

Otu issued the warning on Monday during the 21st Leboku International New Yam Festival in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, following recent communal violence in the area.

The governor condemned the Ugep-Idomi communal clash, which reportedly claimed lives, describing the violence as a ‘show of shame’ and unacceptable.

Represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, Otu said the government had considered cancelling the 2026 Leboku Festival because of the crisis but decided to retain it.

He said the festival was preserved to promote peace, unity and brotherhood among the people of Yakurr and neighbouring communities.

Otu warned traditional rulers to maintain peace or risk losing their certificates of recognition from the state government.

He also said the government would not recognise rival factions involved in the Agoi Ibami leadership dispute until they resolved their differences.

According to him, the government would only deal with one recognised traditional leader after reconciliation among the contending parties.

The governor pledged N50 million for the renovation of the Ugep Peace Stadium to improve sporting and community facilities.

Yakurr Council Chairman, Yibala Inyang, described Leboku as a celebration of gratitude, culture, unity and economic opportunity, rooted in the first yam harvest.

Inyang said the festival had grown into an international cultural event promoting tourism, agriculture and economic development across Cross River.

He added that Leboku attracted Yakurr indigenes and visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora every year.

Inyang commended the state government and other stakeholders for sustaining the festival as a platform for showcasing Cross River’s cultural heritage.

He said preserving Yakurr traditions also created opportunities for investment, tourism and broader community development.

Obol Lopon Advisory Council spokesman, Azikiwe Williams, praised Otu for ongoing infrastructural projects across Yakurr communities.

Williams appealed for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Ugep Peace Stadium, including the provision of a standby generating set.

He also urged the government to extend the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation’s signal to Yakurr to improve residents’ access to official information.

‘Improved infrastructure, communication and peace would strengthen Yakurr’s capacity to attract tourists, investors and development opportunities,’ Williams said.

Tourism Commissioner, Obi Offor, said the government remained committed to making Leboku a major tourism attraction and economic asset.

Offor said the ministry was improving tourist sites, including cleaning up the Yakurr waterfall, while encouraging visitors to explore the area beyond the festival.

He identified waterfalls, landscapes, heritage sites, music, dance, arts and traditions as key tourism assets that required peace and hospitality for sustainable growth.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected reports that it has withdrawn the list of members appointed to its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, dismissing the claims as mere rumours.

The clarification came from the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, following reports suggesting that the APC had reversed the release of the campaign council’s composition.

Morka, speaking with TheCable on Tuesday, said the party had not made any such decision and would publicly communicate any changes if they became necessary.

He said, ‘It’s rumour. If there is any change to the list, it will be formally announced.’

The APC had recently unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council as part of its preparations for the 2027 presidential election, in which President Bola Tinubu is expected to seek a second term.

The composition of the council has, however, attracted debate within the party, with some members and stakeholders questioning the presence or absence of particular party leaders and other prominent figures.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Taiwo Hassan, the veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter, following his demise.

The president described Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, as a distinguished artiste whose career spanned several decades and made remarkable contributions that helped shape the growth of Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.

He noted that through his distinctive acting style, powerful screen presence and dedication to his craft, Ogogo entertained generations of Nigerians while promoting the richness of Yoruba culture and Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.

The president said Ogogo’s body of work would remain an important part of Nigeria’s cultural history, adding that his mentorship and influence on younger artistes further underscored his enduring legacy in the creative industry.

‘Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was a gifted artiste who used his talent to tell Nigerian stories, preserve our cultural heritage and entertain audiences at home and abroad.

‘His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood and the entire Nigerian creative community.

‘On behalf of the Federal Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and millions of admirers. I pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,’ the president said.

He urged members of the creative industry and Nigerians to honour Ogogo’s memory by preserving and building on the cultural values and artistic traditions to which he devoted his life.

The president prayed for the peaceful repose of the late actor’s soul.

Before finding fame, Ogogo worked as a mechanic at the Ogun State Water Corporation for about 13 years. He began acting in 1981, combining the profession with his mechanic job before leaving it in 1994 to pursue acting full-time.

The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday converted the suspension of the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, to impeachment.

The decision comes eight days after he was suspended indefinitely by the House.

Speaking during plenary, Speaker Yekini Idaiye said Agbebaku’s resignation notice had not been ‘officially presented and documented’ days after his suspension.

He said the impeachment notice was signed by 17 out of the 24 members of the House and was formally presented by the Majority Leader during last Monday’s plenary.

‘The indefinite resignation has been reversed to impeachment because his resignation notice has not been officially presented and documented,’ Idaiye said.

‘The former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku was impeached and did not resign from office,’ he added.

Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, had announced his resignation during plenary on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Following Agbebaku’s exit, the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo I, Yekini Idaiye, was elected as the new Speaker.

The House also removed two other principal officers, namely, Jonathan Ibhamawu (Esan West) – removed as Majority Leader and replaced with Ojiezele Osezua Sunday (Esan South-East); and Addeh Emankhu Isibor (Esan North-East I) – removed as Deputy Majority Leader and replaced with Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene (Igueben Constituency).

The motion for the formal impeachment was moved by the Majority Leader, Sunny Ojiezele, and seconded by the member representing Etsako Central, Ahmed Waziri.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has identified a possible wheel or bogie defect as a preliminary factor in the June 8 Warri-Itakpe train derailment that killed four people and injured 64 others.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in the corporation’s preliminary report on the incident, while stressing that the definitive cause would only be established after further technical analysis and the conclusion of an independent investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The derailment occurred at about 4:17 p.m. near the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station at kilometre 177, Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State, as the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) approached the station.

Opeifa said the train had departed Itakpe at noon with 482 people on board, comprising 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel.

According to him, the accident affected five coaches, one locomotive and a power car, with three coaches and the power car overturning while other derailed rolling stock remained upright.

He revealed that emergency response operations were immediately activated by the NRC in collaboration with the Delta State Government, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Emergency Management Agency, local authorities and medical teams.

Opeifa said all passengers were evacuated within two hours of the incident.

He confirmed that the derailment resulted in four fatalities-three adults and one child, while 64 people sustained various injuries.

He explained that 28 injured passengers were treated and discharged at the Railway Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while 36 others were taken to general hospitals in Owa-Oyibu, Owa-Alero and Central Hospital, Agbor.

‘Most of those admitted were discharged within 72 hours,’ he said, adding that three people, including an NRC staff member who required surgery, remained under specialist medical care. Two subsequently underwent surgical procedures.

Opeifa also clarified that an earlier report of five fatalities was corrected after the corporation verified the casualty figures with the Delta State medical team that handled the deceased.

On the possible cause of the derailment, the NRC boss said the corporation’s internal inquiry identified the possible sudden development of a bogie or wheel defect while the train was travelling.

He said such a defect could have resulted in abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and a loss of running stability.

Opeifa, however, cautioned that the finding remained a working hypothesis and should not be regarded as the final cause of the accident.

He added that the manner in which the brakes may have been applied could also have contributed to the severity of the incident, but stressed that this too was still being investigated.

Importantly, Opeifa said the NRC inquiry team found that the railway points were intact and detected no evidence of track vandalism at the accident location.

This, he noted, differed from two previous WITS incidents on November 1 and November 8, 2025, which were attributed to track vandalism.

He said the NSIB had commenced an independent investigation in line with statutory requirements, with the NRC fully cooperating with the process.

‘The NSIB final report remains pending,’ Opeifa stated.

The NRC internal investigation recommended comprehensive inspections and safety audits of rolling stock, tracks and railway infrastructure before equipment is returned to service.

Opeifa said the corporation would also strengthen maintenance and condition-monitoring programmes, replace defective components promptly and improve the availability of critical spare parts.

He revealed that the NRC inquiry further recommended updated operational procedures, stronger enforcement of safety standards, regular emergency-response drills and improved coordination among emergency agencies.

The corporation also recommended enhanced staff training and competency assessments, sustainable funding for railway modernisation, as well as stronger insurance and compensation arrangements for passengers and employees.

On the status of the affected railway, Opeifa said the track had been fully recovered and restored, while the locomotives had been retrieved and were undergoing reconditioning.

He stressed that resumption of the Warri-Itakpe service would depend on the completion of a detailed track and equipment safety audit.

Opeifa expressed regret over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

He said the NRC was committed to implementing recommendations from both its internal accident inquiry and the independent NSIB investigation.

According to him, the corporation’s priority is to strengthen railway safety, improve operational resilience and restore public confidence in rail transportation.

The Lagos State University (LASU) has announced the resolution of the controversy surrounding the alleged non-upload of results of some graduating students in the Department of English, assuring that eligible students will graduate with their colleagues.

The university disclosed this in a statement shared on its official social media account on Sunday, following an enquiry into allegations that some students were at risk of delayed graduation due to outstanding results.

‘Following an enquiry by the University Management into the allegation concerning the non-upload of results of some graduating students in the Department of English, the University wishes to clarify that the Department has uploaded all outstanding results as of Sunday, 23 August 2026,’ the statement read.

The institution added that students who had fulfilled all requirements for graduation would graduate alongside their peers from the just-concluded 2025/2026 academic session.

The university further assured that no qualified student would be required to spend an additional year because of the issue raised.

‘Any student whose result remains outstanding following this action has yet to fulfil the requirements for graduation and is advised to complete the necessary requirements accordingly,’ LASU stated.

The development comes days after concerns were raised online over claims that some graduating students in the Department of English were stranded due to missing results.

Some students had alleged that delayed uploads could affect their graduation plans, with claims that affected students might be forced to spend an extra year.

Responding to the concerns, LASU said it remained committed to ensuring that students who had met all graduation requirements were not unduly delayed in completing their programmes.

‘We are LASU, We are Great!’ the university added.