Category: PM News

A coalition of civil society organizations under the banner of Democracy and Good Governance Watch Initiative (DGGWI) rising from an emergency meeting on the state of the nation over the weekend, have applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the public launch of it’s 100 days countdown to the 2026 general elections and the regular interface with the Nigerian people which is a signpost of it’s commitment to conduct a free, free, transparent and credible election.

According to the press release made available to the newsmen on Sunday 11th October 2026 and signed by it’s leaders, the coalition stated, ‘Our confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election remains firm and unshaken given it’s excellent scorecard since the 2015 general elections and in off cycle elections since the assumption into office of Prof Joash Amupitan in 2025’.

‘We remain proud of INEC for the excellent manner it has been executing it’s constitutional mandate of conducting credible and transparent elections, notwithstanding orchestrated sinister campaign of blackmail and calumny by sour electoral losers and their agents including mischievous and masquerading civil society and election observer organizations at every point in time in our electoral journey’.

‘As we countdown with INEC and the Nigerian people to the 2027 general elections, we call on it to remain neutral, professional, determined, focused and committed to it’s constitutional mandate of the conduct of free, fair, transparent and credible elections like it has always done,’ the statement reads.

CONDOLENCE ON AIRFORCE TRAGEDY

The coalition also used the occasion of the press statement to commiserate with the federal government and people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the deceased Airforce personnel who lost their lives in the unfortunate and sad air crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje local government council area of Ondo State on the 5th of October 2026.

According to the group, ‘We are saddened and pained by the unfortunate Nigerian Airforce plane crash which led to the loss of lives of 25 personnel comprising crew members and passengers’. ‘Our condolences to Mr President and the Commander in Chief, the Nigerian people, the Nigerian Airforce and the immediate and extended families of the deceased, we pray for the repose of their souls and the fortitude for the families to bear the irreparable loss’.

‘We hereby call on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to ensure that a thorough and professional investigation of the immediate and remote cause of the crash is conducted to establish the facts of this crash in order to prevent a reoccurrence’.

CONDEMNATION OF FOUL LANGUAGE

The coalition also used the occasion to call on politicians to be responsible, sensitive, civil and refrain from reckless and inciting statements in campaigns as we countdown to the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

According to the group, despite the signing of the peace accord by the political parties as organized by the National Peace Committee, ‘We have noted with sadness and condemn in it’s entirety, irresponsible, barbaric, reckless and provocative statements by some of the political actors who continue to assault public sensibilities by their uncouth and ill manners which stands condemned’.

The group called on the National Peace Committee and the security agencies to call the politicians to order and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to wield the big stick according to law.

ADMONITION TO THE ELECTORATE ON PVC

The group charged the Nigerian electorate to go out and collect their PVC as early as possible in line with the schedule for the collection of PVC by INEC, so as to be able to vote in the 2027 general elections. ‘We call on the Nigerian people who are yet to collect their PVC, to take advantage of the window provided by the electoral umpire in line with the provisions of the law, to go and collect their PVCs to be able to vote for the candidates and parties of their choice on election day’.

‘The coalition equally call on the Nigerian people to be vigilant and not fall for the sugar coated campaign slogans of political parties and politicians who are promising what is at variance to logic and rationality just to curry the peoples votes at the polls. ‘It charged the electorate to examine every campaign promises thoroughly and painstakingly and not allow their votes to be swindled for immediate and temporary gain rather than long time and enduring benefits for the collective good’.

‘As we countdown in the campaign season and forthcoming 2027 general elections, the Democracy and Good Governance Watch Initiative (DGGWI), wishes to admonish all the stakeholders in our democratic system, to play by the rules, just as we assure that we will diligently and professionally observe and monitor the process and give our perspective to issues in order to educate, inform and set the records straight. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ the statement concluded.

The Engraced Ones, a Non Governmental Organisation, has called on churches to accommodate children and persons with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities to promote inclusive worship and participation in worship centers.

The organisation made the call at the 2026 Inclusive Church Conference, themed ‘Every Soul Matters: Building Churches Where Everyone Belongs,’ on Saturday in Abuja.

The conference was held in collaboration with the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Child Evangelical Fellowship, Inclusive Friends, CBM amongst others.

The convener, Mrs Bibora Yinkere, emphasised the need for churches to combine spiritual support with practical interventions such as inclusive education, therapy and advocacy, to improve the wellbeing of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

‘The Church must welcome, care for, and advocate for PWDs and their families providing spiritual support and practical inclusion,’ she said.

Mrs Gbemisola Alade, a parent of a child with special needs stressed the importance of early identification of developmental challenges.

According to her, it can help children receive appropriate interventions and support.

Also speaking, Mrs Ruth Nyam, a representative of Child Evangelism Fellowship, called on churches to train children’s ministry workers, adopt appropriate teaching methods and provide inclusive programmes that would enable children with disabilities to participate in activities.

She encouraged parents and caregivers to celebrate children’s achievements regardless of how small they might appear to build confidence and promote dignity.

Another speaker, Pastor Pius Ogbu, Head of Programmed and Operations at the Leprosy Mission Nigeria called on christians to extend their ministry beyond church buildings and engage people in different spheres of life.

Ogbu, who cited Mark 16:15, said the responsibility to spread the gospel extended to every believer, irrespective of their position or area of service.

The conference highlighted conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, dyslexia, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and cerebral palsy, stressing the need for greater public understanding and support for affected individuals and their families.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 30-year-old South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, after intercepting 32.74 kilogrammes of cannabis, known as Thai Loud, concealed in two bags at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State.

The agency also intercepted 354,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, weighing 307.20kg, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, as part of its nationwide anti-drug operations.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 11, 2026, saying the South African woman was arrested in a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service.

Babafemi said the suspect arrived at the Port Harcourt airport aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Thailand via Doha, with 30 parcels of the cannabis concealed in two bags.

He said the woman allegedly confessed to previously trafficking drugs in other African countries and disclosed that she was expanding her operations to Port Harcourt.

Babafemi stated that at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives intercepted nine cartons of Tapentadol tablets imported from Pakistan aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight. The consignment had been placed under surveillance following the aircraft’s arrival on September 29, while a joint examination conducted on October 6 confirmed the seizure of 354,000 tablets.

He added that operatives also intercepted 70 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain weighing 75.90kg, concealed in six Ghana-Must-Go bags in a consolidated cargo from the United Kingdom.

According to Babafemi, the consignment was monitored after its arrival on September 29. A clearing agent, 54-year-old John Edrah, was arrested on September 30, while an Uber driver, 54-year-old Taofiq Ajibola, was apprehended at a logistics company in Mafoluku, Oshodi, while attempting to collect one of the bags.

He said two other suspects, Adetunji Adebayo and 48-year-old clothing trader Kazeem Damola Dosunmu, were arrested while collecting the remaining five bags.

Babafemi stated that Ajibola claimed a UK-based associate, Lukman Sa’idu, had sent the drugs, while Dosunmu allegedly said his consignment came from another UK-based contact, Yusuf.

In Cross River State, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested 46-year-old Adama Inuwa during a raid on Iyala Nkun village in Ikom Local Government Area on October 4. The operation led to the seizure of 181 bags of cannabis weighing 1,100kg, alongside 17.15kg of cannabis seeds.

In Edo State, he said operatives intercepted a black Toyota Camry at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, on October 5, recovering 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 702.83kg. Three suspects-52-year-old Monday Orji, 40-year-old Monday Lawal and 20-year-old Precious Uduegele-were arrested.

Babafemi added that a separate operation at Asoro, off Sakponba Road, Benin City, led to the arrest of 26-year-old Ojugo Mercy, with 989 grammes of Loud, 13 grammes of Colorado and 83 grammes of methamphetamine recovered.

He said NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended personnel of the agency’s commands at Lagos, MMIA, Port Harcourt, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Cross River, Ondo and Plateau for their professionalism and intelligence-led operations.

Marwa, according to Babafemi, urged officers to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control, combining enforcement with other measures to address the illicit drug trade.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve the omission of some of its governorship candidates from the commission’s final list for the 2027 elections.

The list, released on Saturday, did not include any PDP governorship candidate in Ogun and Gombe states, despite featuring 13 candidates in Ogun and 16 in Gombe.

Among those affected are Ladi Adebutu, the party’s candidate in Ogun, and Isa Ali Pantami, its candidate in Gombe.

In a statement, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the party was treating the development with the seriousness it deserved.

He said the party was seeking an amicable resolution with INEC in accordance with the law and established electoral guidelines.

Mohammed urged the affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm and patient while discussions with the electoral commission continued

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has revealed how alleged fake drugs and delayed medical attention may have contributed to the death of Etimbuk Daniel, the immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of Akwa Ibom State University, at an NYSC orientation camp in Enugu State.

NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, disclosed this in a statement expressing shock over Daniel’s death and demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to Afeez, Daniel reportedly complained of a headache while at the orientation camp and was given medication by medical personnel.

However, his condition allegedly deteriorated after taking the drugs, prompting him to request immediate transfer to a hospital.

The NANS president claimed that the necessary approval for his transfer was delayed and that Daniel died before he could be taken to a hospital for further treatment.

He further alleged that a doctor subsequently identified the medication administered to Daniel as fake.

‘We were further informed that the doctor later identified the drugs administered to him as fake. These are deeply troubling allegations that require a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his tragic death,’ Afeez stated.

The allegations concerning the authenticity of the medication and the reported delay in medical attention have not been independently verified.

Expressing grief over the incident, Afeez described Daniel’s death as a devastating loss to the Nigerian student community.

‘I received with rude shock the news of the death of Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, the immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of Akwa Ibom State University, who reportedly passed away at the NYSC orientation camp in Enugu State,’ he said.

The NANS president warned that the circulation of fake drugs remained a serious threat to public health and called for stronger measures to protect lives.

He stressed that the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death raised concerns about accountability and access to prompt medical attention.

Afeez extended condolences to Daniel’s family, friends, colleagues and the entire Akwa Ibom State University community.

‘NANS is mourning this painful loss, and our further actions and official position on the matter will be communicated in due course,’ he said.

He also prayed for strength for the bereaved family and the student community.

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into an alleged shooting by unidentified armed hoodlums at the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Secretariat, Enugu.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement issued in Enugu on Sunday, said the alleged shooting took place on Saturday, Oct.10, at about 2:30p.m.

Ndukwe said that the incident reportedly left a man repairing a vehicle parked along the road with a suspected gunshot injury and resulted in damage to the windscreens of five parked vehicles.

‘Upon receiving a distress report, police operatives promptly moved to the scene, restored normalcy and rushed the injured victim to an hospital, where he is receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

‘The commissioner has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to identify and apprehend the perpetrators,’ he said.

Ndukwe said that in a separate incident at 11:30a.m on the same day, joint police and military operatives dispersed suspected NDC members who gathered in a disorderly manner at the entrance to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

‘Preliminary findings indicate that airport authorities restricted the party members from entering the airport in large numbers to receive their governorship candidate.

‘A misunderstanding reportedly arose among the party members and escalated into a fight, prompting the intervention of the joint security operatives,’ he said.

Ndukwe said that the commissioner had reiterated the need for political parties and their members to shun violence and conduct their activities in accordance with the law and existing peace accords.

The spokesman said that the commissioner had reaffirmed the command’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties.

‘The command urges political parties to notify the police of their planned activities to facilitate adequate security arrangements,’ he added.

Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they are creating an enabling environment for industrialisation and private sector investment.

Ododo stated this on Sunday in Lokoja while inaugurating the Confluence Lube world-class lubricant blending and packaging factory along the Ganaja-Ajaokuta Expressway.

The governor said Nigeria was gradually regaining its glory under the Tinubu administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the factory is owned by Godec Power Nigeria Ltd.

Ododo described the investment as a significant contribution to the state’s industrialisation drive, job creation and economic prosperity.

He said the establishment of the facility demonstrated growing confidence in Kogi’s economic potential.

According to him, the state can only achieve its full economic potential when investors commit their resources to productive ventures that create jobs and add value to the local economy.

The governor commended the Managing Director and Chairman of Godec Power Nigeria Ltd., Chief Okechukwu Obika, who is also the Vice-President of the Igbo Community in Kogi, for investing in the state.

He praised Obika for establishing a facility that produces engine oils and plastic containers, providing employment opportunities for hundreds of people in Kogi.

Ododo emphasised that his administration welcomed investors willing to process resources locally rather than take raw materials out of the state without creating economic benefits for the people.

He reaffirmed his commitment to building a private sector capable of employing far more people than the public sector.

To encourage business growth, the governor announced a three-year waiver on selected annual state levies for the company.

He listed the levies to include Land Use Charge, Environmental Levy, Business Premises Annual Renewal, Fire Service Levy and Economic Development Levy.

Ododo assured investors of his administration’s continued support, adding that Kogi had a strategic location, abundant resources and the human capacity to emerge as a major industrial hub in Nigeria.

Earlier, Obika said the company, established in 2001 as an electricity trading business, had diversified into cargo tricycle assembly, lubricant production, plastic recycling and manufacturing, among other activities.

He explained that the Confluence Lube facility produced engine oils for petrol and diesel engines, transmission oils and plastic containers.

Obika said plans were underway to introduce hydraulic oil, brake fluid, transformer oil and grease.

He disclosed that the company had created 100 direct jobs and more than 200 indirect jobs, with the potential to increase these figures to over 300 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs at full operational capacity.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Muhammed Shuaibu, reiterated the state government’s commitment to working with investors and communities to promote economic development and shared prosperity.

The campaign organisation of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, has alleged that it is aware of individuals working behind the scenes to frustrate his bid to become governor of Gombe State in 2027.

The allegation comes amid growing controversy over Pantami’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and his exclusion from the list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement issued on October 10, 2026, the Pantami Campaign Organisation and the Pantamiyya Movement accused unnamed individuals of attempting to frustrate what they described as good and responsible leadership in Gombe State.

The statement, signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe, however, did not identify those allegedly involved.

‘We are aware of the people working behind the scenes to frustrate good and responsible leadership in Gombe State, but our legal and liaison teams are already engaging with the relevant organs of the party and INEC to ensure full compliance and rectification within the window provided by law. By the grace of Allah, this matter will be resolved,’ the statement read.

The campaign urged Pantami’s supporters to remain calm, describing the controversy surrounding his candidacy as a temporary challenge.

It maintained that consultations with the PDP and INEC were ongoing to resolve the matter within the period permitted by law.

Pantami’s governorship ambition has been engulfed in controversy despite his victory in the PDP’s court-ordered primary rerun held on September 29, 2026.

The former minister secured 2,054 votes, defeating Khamisu Mailantarki, who polled 389 votes, while Aliyu Garry received 112 votes.

The rerun followed a September 24 judgment of the Federal High Court in Gombe, which nullified the earlier primary that produced Pantami as the party’s candidate.

However, the fresh exercise triggered another dispute after Mailantarki rejected the outcome and demanded that Pantami’s votes be cancelled.

Mailantarki alleged that Pantami was ineligible to contest the primary because he joined the PDP after the May 10 deadline for submitting the party’s membership register to INEC.

The former minister had defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) through a letter dated May 19, 2026, following disagreements with the party’s leadership in Gombe State.

Mailantarki insisted that Pantami’s votes should be invalidated and demanded recognition as the PDP’s duly nominated governorship candidate.

Garry also rejected the rerun results, describing the exercise as fundamentally flawed and threatening legal action.

Pantami’s subsequent omission from INEC’s published list of candidates further complicated the dispute over the party’s governorship ticket.

Despite the development, his campaign expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved, maintaining that its legal and liaison teams were engaging the relevant authorities.

The controversy remains unresolved ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

At least 22 people are feared dead after suspected bandits attacked traders travelling under the escort of Nigerian Army troops in Zamfara State.

The attack happened early on Sunday as the traders travelled from Gurusu to Gwashi in Bukkuyum Local Government Area to attend the weekly market in Gwashi.

A resident, Malam Aminu Gwashi, who confirmed the incident, said several people, including security personnel, were reportedly killed in the attack.

He added that many others were injured and taken to Bukkuyum General Hospital for treatment.

The communities of Gwashi and Bukkuyum have suffered repeated attacks by bandits in recent times. The attacks have disrupted trading and other economic activities in the area.

Efforts to get the military’s reaction were unsuccessful as the Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, did not answer calls seeking comments.

Similarly, the Information Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Major Osoba Olaniyi, did not respond to calls requesting confirmation of the incident.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Zamfara State Police Command had released an official statement on the attack.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has deployed extensive operational resources and manpower to evacuate accumulated waste along Ago Palace Way, Okota, while sealing over 25 buildings for various environmental and regulatory infractions.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, led the intervention on Sunday morning, with management staff joining operational teams in the exercise, which targeted recurrent illegal dumping on road medians and around bridge abutments.

The operation featured a massive deployment of compactor trucks, a payloader, tipper trucks and street sweepers to clear accumulated waste and restore environmental order along the affected corridor.

It also witnessed the sensitisation of the populace by the LAWMA advocacy team against indiscriminate dumping while encouraging handling of waste through the appropriate channels.

Over 25 buildings, including a Mobil filling station, were sealed for various infractions, including the development of illegal stalls on road setbacks and harbouring street traders whose activities contributed to littering and indiscriminate waste disposal.

Gbadegesin reiterated that the Authority would enforce the law against illegal street trading and those who patronise traders operating in prohibited locations, stressing that such activities undermine public order, obstruct movement and contribute to environmental degradation.

The exercise also resulted in the arrest of some cart pushers allegedly involved in illegal waste disposal, including one Shamusi Muritala, who identified himself as being from Katsina State and admitted to dumping waste on road medians, pleading for leniency.

During questioning, Muritala disclosed that he collected as much as ?5,000 from each customer to dispose of waste on the median, highlighting the commercial activities that sustain illegal dumping in the area.

The intervention received support from operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) team.

LAWMA reaffirmed its commitment to sustained waste evacuation, stronger enforcement and public engagement to curb illegal dumping, protect public infrastructure and achieve a cleaner Lagos.