Category: PM News

National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has called for a crackdown on what he described as ‘terrorists masquerading as politicians’ ahead of the 2027 general election.

Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor and serving senator, said such politicians should be exposed, sanctioned and treated in the same manner as terrorists.

He made the call in a post on his verified X account late Tuesday after meeting a joint delegation of the International Republican Institute, IRI, and the National Democratic Institute, NDI.

Dickson accused some politicians of arming thugs, recruiting violent groups and allegedly colluding with security personnel to intimidate, injure or kill opponents during elections.

He said the practice had become a recurring feature of election seasons and demanded consequences for anyone found culpable.

‘Terrorists masquerading as politicians must be treated as terrorists. There should be no mercy for them,’ Dickson declared.

He also called for international cooperation to identify, expose and sanction politicians linked to electoral violence.

According to him, some individuals accused of employing violence during elections had continued to enjoy political patronage, with some eventually emerging as ministers or candidates for public office.

Dickson said he was familiar with the tactics of what he described as desperate and criminally minded political actors within the ruling establishment.

He alleged that rather than building genuine political support, such individuals resorted to purchasing arms, training operatives and deploying armed thugs during elections.

The NDC leader said his party would push for an electoral environment in which Nigerians could vote without fear or intimidation.

‘In the NDC, we are determined to ensure that Nigerians are able to vote freely and that their votes count,’ he said.

Dickson also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and other institutions to guarantee the safety of voters in 2027.

‘Nigeria’s democracy must be protected, and every Nigerian must have the confidence that their vote matters,’ he added.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s support for multilateral cooperation, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and regional stabilisation efforts remained vital to the collective pursuit of lasting peace and shared prosperity in the Lake Chad region.

Buni said this while commending President Tinubu for his commitment to sustainable peace, security and economic growth of the Lake Chad region.

This is contained in a statement by Buni’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Buni stated this when he visited the headquarters of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, in Njadmena, Chad, on Tuesday.

Buni, who is the Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, congratulated the new Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Ibrahim Babani, and assured of a cordial working relationship between the forum and the commission.

‘You have no doubt taken this responsibility at a consequential moment for the Lake Chad Basin.

‘One in which our shared security, stabilisation and development challenges demand stronger political coordination, deeper institutional partnership and a renewed sense of common purpose.

‘As chairman of the Governors’ forum, I assure you of our readiness to work closely with you in advancing this common agenda, and to achieve our set targets,’ he said.

The governor said insecurity, displacement, climate pressures, economic vulnerability and violent extremism were no respecters of administrative boundaries.

‘ Our response must, therefore, be swift and rooted in solidarity, coordination and collective action,’ Buni said.

He tasked the commission on deepening engagements with the African Union, UNDP, international financial institutions, bilateral partners and other stakeholders to achieve its targets.

The governor also visited the Headquarters of MNJTF, Njamena, to assess its successes and challenges in the fight against terrorism in the region.

Buni pledged to attract more intervention to the MNJTF from the Federal Government and member states to enhance its operations for sustainable security in the region.

‘I pledge to share your successes and challenges with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, especially the withdrawal of Niger Republic from the Task Force, the challenges of resources, equipment, manpower, among others,’ Buni said.

President Bola Tinubu will join world leaders to address the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) General Debate on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in New York.

Tinubu is scheduled as the 10th speaker during the morning session on day two of the high-level General Debate holding from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28 at the UN headquarters.

A provisional list of speakers shows Tinubu will deliver his statement during the morning session.

The Nigerian leader will speak around 11:30am and noon New York time (4:30pm Nigerian time).

He will join a line-up of 193 world leaders, including over 150 heads of state and government, and more than 40 others including vice presidents, deputy prime ministers, ministers and other senior government officials.

As tradition dictates, Brazil’s President Luiz da Silva will open the debate on Sept. 22, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump as the host country President.

The theme for UNGA 81, to be presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, is ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.’

The week-long high-level debate will be a busy outing for Tinubu, who is expected to participate in several high-level meetings, side events and major summits on climate action, sea-level rise and pandemic preparedness.

The Nigerian leader will have a high-level meeting with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose two-term tenure ends on Dec. 31, 2026.

Tinubu is also expected to meet with the outgoing UN Deputy Secretary-General, Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed, who holds the most senior role by an African and has been in the saddle since 2017.

Sources however said speaking slots were still subject to adjustments depending on attendance.

Nigeria has historically enjoyed goodwill that ensures prominent positioning on the first or the second day.

Tinubu attended the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023 in person while Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Shettima, who delivered Nigeria’s national statement, unusually retained Nigeria’s day-one speaking slots, credited to diplomatic manoeuvring by the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN.

Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, has confirmed Tinubu’s attendance at the 2026 UNGA.

‘The president was able to give us his word. Now, he will come to UNGA this September,’ the diplomat said recently.

The Nigerian envoy said Tinubu’s participation would provide an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase the reforms being implemented by his administration to the international community.

Jimoh added that Tinubu would also use the UN platform to engage stakeholders on border policing in West Africa, describing the region’s porous borders as a ‘major security challenge’.

‘So, border policing will be fine. These are the kind of things that the UN is established for,’ the ambassador said.

He said the federal government was collaborating with the UN on a regional border policing initiative and would seek broader international support for the effort during the assembly.

The permanent representative also said there could be a meeting between Tinubu and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the event.

The 81st session of the UN General Assembly will open on Sept. 8 while the general debate holds from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28.

The annual gathering brings together heads of state, government leaders, ministers and top-level government functionaries to deliberate on global issues.

These issues include climate change, sustainable development, and international peace and security.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Tuesday submitted the names of six commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation as members of the State Executive Council.

The nomination is contained in a letter read by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Alfred Emberga, during plenary on Tuesday in Markudi.

Alia said that the nominations were intended to strengthen the state executive council by filling existing vacancies and replacing outgoing members while bringing additional expertise and capacity into the administration.

The six nominees are Kuma Aii-Yenge, Roy Ashirga, Monday Angwa, Elizabeth Ogenyi, Solomon Iorpev and Nick Eworo.

The speaker stated that the governor made the nominations in the exercise of his constitutional powers and pursuant to Section 192 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

According to him, Alia requested the assembly to give the nominees prompt and favourable consideration in accordance with its constitutional responsibility.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered 2.3 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), valued at N4.485 billion, in Lagos following an investigation into an alleged case of stealing and criminal conversion.

The recovery was made on Monday, August 17, 2026, by operatives of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 from Mamemo Ibru of Ibafon Oil and Gas.

The investigation followed a petition by Prudent Energy and Services Limited, which alleged that petroleum products entrusted to Ibafon Oil and Gas for storage had been unlawfully converted, resulting in a substantial shortfall in its stock.

According to the petition, periodic withdrawals from the stored products reduced the outstanding balance to 2,574,031 litres.

However, a subsequent physical measurement and reconciliation exercise showed that only 206,761 litres remained in the storage tanks, leaving a deficit of 2,367,270 litres.

The EFCC said investigation established that Ibafon Oil and Gas is involved in the purchase and sale of AGO and also operates a storage depot where petroleum products belonging to the company and its customers are kept.

The commission further alleged that Ibru, leveraging his position as owner of the company, authorised the removal of petroleum products in excess of the quantity belonging to Ibafon Oil and Gas, resulting in the alleged conversion of the petitioner’s products for his own use.

Following the EFCC’s intervention, the recovered petroleum products were handed over to Prudent Energy and Services Limited.

The development forms part of the commission’s investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged diversion and conversion of the petroleum products.

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has disputed a report that gunmen attacked the convoy of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Davido, who is the governor’s nephew, said the gunfire reported during the governor’s visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, was the result of a separate confrontation outside the palace and had nothing to do with the governor’s entourage.

‘Lies! It was a fight outside the palace that had nothing to do with us! The people love excellency!’ Davido wrote on X.

The reaction followed reports that gunmen allegedly attacked Adeleke’s convoy shortly after his visit to the monarch, triggering an exchange of gunfire with security personnel attached to the governor.

The incident reportedly occurred after Adeleke left the palace hall, where he had met with the Ataoja, shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo.

Adeleke arrived at the palace at about 3:15 p.m. in a motorcade of roughly 20 vehicles after leaving the INEC headquarters.

According to an eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, the governor and his entourage were received by Oba Oyetunji, and Adeleke reportedly presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch.

The eyewitness said the situation became tense after the meeting ended and the monarch had offered prayers.

She said Adeleke had already left the palace hall through an exit traditionally reserved for the monarch and his wives and had entered the vehicle conveying him and some close aides when heavy gunfire was heard.

‘He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots,’ she said.

The eyewitness alleged that the attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo.

She said the shooting lasted between 12 and 15 minutes, during which the governor’s security personnel exchanged gunfire with the assailants before they eventually fled the scene.

Davido’s account, however, differs from the description of the incident as an attack on the governor’s convoy. While acknowledging that a fight occurred outside the palace, he insisted that it was unrelated to Adeleke and his entourage.

The circumstances surrounding the reported shooting, including the identity and motive of those involved, remained unclear.

The reported incident occurred on the same day Adeleke received his certificate of return after winning a second term in the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke defeated his closest challenger, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with 511,067 votes to 444,815, a margin of 66,252 votes.

The development also came shortly after Adeleke pledged to forgive his political opponents and govern all residents of the state.

The governor said he had no reason to remain bitter against those who opposed him during the election and called on them to join hands with his administration to move Osun State forward.

A high-level meeting involving Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Oladipupo Olaleye, has highlighted Aare Oladipupo Laleye’s continued engagement with prominent political figures and leaders across the country.

The meeting brought together three figures with notable connections to public service and Nigerian political affairs. Laleye, who serves as a Senior Special Assistant/Personal Assistant (Special Duties) to Governor Ademola Adeleke, was pictured alongside the governor and the former president during the engagement.

The photograph captures Hon Oladipupo Laleye seated between Governor Adeleke and former President Obasanjo, with the trio appearing relaxed as they shared a moment during the gathering.

the access and responsibilities associated with his role within the Osun State Government, where he has served as one of Governor Adeleke’s aides since the administration came into office.

His appointment as a Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties placed him within the governor’s team responsible for handling assignments and engagements connected to the administration.

The meeting with Obasanjo also provides another glimpse into Laleye’s growing presence around senior political and public figures. Former President Obasanjo remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent statesmen, having served as the country’s military head of state and later as an elected civilian president.

For Olaleye, engagements of this nature form part of his public-service journey and his work within the Adeleke administration. His responsibilities have taken him into various government and community engagements, allowing him to interact with political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders.

Governor Adeleke, who assumed office in November 2022 after winning the Osun State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, has continued to lead the state’s administration with a focus on development and governance.

The meeting therefore brings together different generations of Nigerian political leadership, with Obasanjo representing decades of national political experience, Adeleke representing the current political leadership in Osun State, and Olaleye participating as a member of the governor’s team.

The photograph from the gathering has also drawn attention to Laleye’s continued involvement in political and government circles, particularly through his role supporting Governor Adeleke.

While details of the specific discussions at the meeting were not publicly disclosed, the gathering underscores the importance of dialogue and interaction among political leaders and public officials.

For Oladipupo Laleye, the engagement adds

A civil society group, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET), has commended National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Olufemi Oluyede and the federal government for their efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and protect vulnerable communities.

CESJET said the outcome of the second session of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group in Washington showed that the government was making progress in addressing security concerns that contributed to Nigeria’s designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

The second session, held on August 12, was hosted by Allison Hooker, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, while the Nigerian delegation was led by Ribadu. The discussions focused on protecting Christian communities in the Middle Belt, strengthening judicial and security institutions, and deepening military-to-military cooperation.

CESJET noted that Ribadu’s role in the engagement demonstrated the importance of sustained coordination between Nigeria’s security institutions and international partners in confronting terrorism.

‘The NSA Nuhu Ribadu deserves commendation for providing strategic direction to Nigeria’s security engagement with international partners. His efforts have helped move the conversation from diplomatic concerns to practical cooperation on intelligence, counter-terrorism, accountability and protection of vulnerable communities,’ the group said in a statement on Monday and signed by Comrade Charles Abakpa, its Executive Director.

The group said the discussions with the US were particularly significant because they provided an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate measures taken to address concerns around violence, religious freedom and accountability.

The civic group also commended Oluyede for what it described as improved coordination among the armed forces and stronger cooperation in the country’s counter-terrorism campaign.

‘General Olufemi Oluyede deserves recognition for the renewed emphasis on operational coordination and inter-service cooperation. The fight against terrorism cannot be won by one service acting alone. The growing integration of intelligence, air power, ground operations and other security capabilities is critical to degrading terrorist networks and protecting communities,’ the statement read.

The organisation noted that military-to-military cooperation was one of the key areas discussed during the Washington engagement, with both countries examining ways to strengthen intelligence sharing, technical capabilities and operational cooperation.

The group also noted the government’s progress on terrorism prosecutions. In April, Nigeria commenced another phase of terrorism trials involving more than 500 suspects, while the government has reported hundreds of convictions.

Recent military figures indicate that troops operating across Nigeria’s various theatres neutralised 317 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians in a month.

The group said the reported progress should encourage the government to sustain its security reforms rather than become complacent.

‘Security gains must ultimately be measured by the safety of ordinary Nigerians. The government must sustain the momentum, protect civilians and ensure that perpetrators of violence, regardless of their affiliation, are brought to justice,’ it said.

CESJET also welcomed discussions on the resettlement of internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities, describing safe and sustainable returns as an important measure of the government’s success in restoring security.

The group urged the federal government to deepen its partnership with the US while maintaining Nigeria’s leadership of its own security response.

Elsooltaan International for Digital Solutions, the digital transformation arm of Elsooltaan Group, is expanding its fully managed remote team model from Egypt to businesses across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and United States markets.

The company said its model enables growing businesses to deploy dedicated teams of developers, designers and marketers based in Egypt while operating under the client’s own brand and supported by a broader range of digital transformation services.

According to Elsooltaan International, the offering is designed for companies seeking the capabilities and technical depth of an in-house digital team without the cost and operational demands associated with building and managing one internally.

‘We are not an agency that sells hours. We are a build-and-run partner. Companies get the team, systems, and technical depth they need without the overhead of building it internally,’ the company’s team said.

Elsooltaan International said its services cover the full digital development cycle, ranging from strategy and brand identity to technology implementation and digital growth.

Its growth marketing services include Google Ads, Meta Ads, SEO/SEM and content marketing, while its technology offering covers website and e-commerce development, mobile application development, and ERP and CRM implementation.

The company said the integrated model allows businesses to access multiple digital capabilities through a single managed team rather than engaging separate agencies or hiring individual specialists.

According to the company, its portfolio includes projects for organisations operating across fashion and lifestyle, education, real estate, legal services, trade and social impact.

Clients and organisations associated with its work include Tanoor, SUMT Solutions Agency, the Japanese Technologic Academy, International Coach Masters, Solid Law Firm, Tarek Abdelaal Law Firm, the African Center for Investment and Trade Exchange, Tech for Africa and the Rafiki Super App, among others.

Elsooltaan International said the diversity of its client base has helped the company develop experience in delivering digital solutions for organisations with different operational and market requirements.

From Egypt to the GCC and US

The company said its strategic expansion is now moving beyond its existing GCC focus toward the United States market, leveraging its operational presence across multiple jurisdictions.

Elsooltaan International currently has offices in Cairo, Egypt; Algeria; the RAKEZ Free Zone in the United Arab Emirates; and Sheridan, Wyoming, in the United States.

The company said the geographical structure enables it to combine Egypt-based digital talent with international market access and support businesses seeking to scale their digital operations across borders.

As demand for remote work and outsourced technology teams continues to grow, Elsooltaan International said its focus remains on providing businesses with dedicated teams capable of handling digital strategy, development, marketing and technology implementation under a managed model.

Elsooltaan International for Digital Solutions is the digital transformation arm of Elsooltaan Group, with operations spanning Egypt, the UAE, Algeria and the United States.

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives said it has agreed to combine efforts with G-100 towards strengthening democracy and providing Nigerians with a ‘credible alternative’ to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Minority Leader, Rep. Fred Agbedi (ADC-Bayelsa) announced the partnership with G-100 on Tuesday.

He spoke while addressing newsmen after a closed-door consultation meeting with a delegation of the G-100 in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the partnership was aimed at galvanising opposition political parties for a common front ahead of the 2027 elections.

Agbedi said that the engagement was successful, saying that it marked the ‘consummation’ of the partnership between the G100 and the caucus.

He said that both groups had agreed to combine their efforts towards strengthening democracy and providing Nigerians with a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.

The lawmaker said that the aim was to bring opposition parties, political leaders and presidential aspirants to look beyond individual ambitions for a united arrangement capable of challenging the APC.

‘We had just had a successful meeting and in the meeting we concluded that this is the consummation of the alliance of the caucus and the G-100, fusing into one to ensure that we play an active role in enriching democracy in Nigeria.

‘I want to call on all members of opposition, no matter the party you belong, no matter your ambition, that there is strength in unity and that the opposition should unite to ensure that we wrestle power from the APC in 2027,’ he said.

Agbedi said that prevailing economic and social difficulties in the country had made opposition unity more urgent.

He said that political differences should not be allowed to undermine the broader objective of providing an alternative government.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr Salihu Lukman said that the G100 initiative was driven by concern over the political direction of the country and the inability of opposition forces to coordinate their activities.

He explained that the movement was established to persuade opposition leaders and political actors to negotiate a common political arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections as against individual, party or organisational interests.

‘As opposition parties, we seem to be fragmented, and if we continue the way we are going, we are almost going to replay the 2023 scenario.

‘It is almost like a case of handing over victory to the ruling party, and then we go back to square one,’ he said.

He said the G100 is prepared to facilitate whatever discussions and negotiations would be required to bring the opposition forces together ahead of the 2027 polls.

Lukman announced that a summit for opposition parties and leaders initially scheduled for Tuesday, has been moved to Aug. 31.

He said the postponement had also created additional time for the G100 to expand its consultations and bring more political actors and Nigerians into the process.