Category: PM News

A woman and her 14-year-old daughter have died after an illegal three-storey building under construction collapsed onto their home in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building collapsed at about 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday at Anata Anaba, trapping the victims inside a neighbouring bungalow.

Other people caught in the rubble were rescued by emergency responders and taken to hospital.

Residents said they heard loud cracking sounds from the building shortly before it came crashing down.

An eyewitness said the woman and her daughter were inside their apartment when the structure collapsed directly on them.

‘Some other people who were also trapped in the rubble were later rescued and rushed to the hospital by an emergency response team that mobilised to the scene to evacuate victims,’ the eyewitness said.

Residents also claimed concerns had earlier been raised over the suitability of the waterlogged land for a three-storey structure.

They alleged that an engineer initially engaged on the project had advised that the building should not exceed two floors because of the condition of the land.

According to them, the advice was ignored and another engineer was subsequently brought in to continue the project to three storeys.

The victims were identified as the landlady of the neighbouring bungalow and her youngest child.

Her son, Chimobi, said three members of the family were in the apartment when the building collapsed.

‘I was outside at the time of the incident. But my mother and my sister were in the bedroom when the building collapsed directly on them, leaving them with no opportunity to escape,’ he said.

He added that residents had previously warned the builder about the danger posed by the structure but their concerns were not heeded.

Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, confirmed the incident after visiting the scene.

Ojukwu said the building was illegal and that authorities had previously issued a stop-work notice.

He blamed the collapse on negligence and the use of substandard construction materials.

‘The structure was an illegal building and we had ordered its demolition and the land is going to be forfeited to the state government,’ he said.

‘We are investigating other unapproved buildings under construction in the area.’

The commissioner said the structure collapsed onto the neighbouring bungalow, killing the woman and her daughter.

He added that the state government would intensify checks on other unapproved buildings under construction in the area.

Sen. Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a timetable for his visits to states across the country as part of his reelection campaign.

Yari disclosed this on Friday while briefing State House Correspondents after meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the meeting focused on preparations for the campaign and arrangements for the President’s proposed visits to states ahead of the election.

‘The President asked me to come and brief him on where we are and to discuss the timetable for the state visits.

‘By God’s grace, his team, Mr President and I have agreed on how it is going to be done,’ he said.

The former Zamfara governor said the campaign council’s inaugural meeting would hold on Oct. 14 at the State House Banquet Hall.

He explained that the council had prepared a timetable for Tinubu’s state visits, which the President had approved.

The former Zamfara governor said the timetable indicated that President Tinubu will launch his 2027 re-election campaign in Kaduna on Oct. 24,

Yari said the campaign would move to Port Harcourt and subsequently Maiduguri.

‘The next state is going to Port Harcourt. From there we will be in Maiduguri. We have the timetable, and we’re going to make it available after the inauguration,’ Yari added.

He said further details of the campaign activities would be released after the council’s inaugural meeting.

Yari expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political support nationwide, arguing that the President’s re-election prospects would depend on securing substantial backing in both northern and southern Nigeria.

He challenged opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, to demonstrate their electoral strength across the country.

Yari specifically questioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate’s ability to secure substantial support in southern Nigeria.

‘If you don’t know, can you say that the ADC candidate today in the southern part of the country, can he beat his chest and say he has control of one state in the south?’ he asked.

He argued that strong support in one region would not guarantee victory without a significant electoral presence elsewhere in the country.

Yari cited former President Muhammadu Buhari’s previous electoral struggles, in spite of enjoying substantial support across northern states, to illustrate the importance of nationwide backing.

He, however, claimed that Tinubu had attracted considerable support in both northern and southern Nigeria since assuming office.

The APC campaign chief also defended the administration’s economic record, saying its policies had begun to change the country’s economic situation.

He expressed confidence that the administration’s performance and the President’s support across the country would strengthen the ruling party’s position ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Concerned Progressive Professional Network (CPPN) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Osun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), particularly its Online Media Chapel, to promote good governance, professional journalism, and responsible information dissemination in Nigeria.

The organisation made this known during a meeting with members of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel at its office in Osogbo, Osun State. The CPPN delegation was led by its National President, Dr. Victor Olusola, who is also the Managing Director of Divine Opticals. He was accompanied by the Welfare Director, Engr. Adebisi Oyenekan, and an Executive Member, Mr. Muhammed Moyosore. The chapel’s delegation was led by its Chairman, Mr. Isa Isawade, alongside other executives.

Speaking at the meeting, the CPPN National President explained that the organisation was established to mobilise professionals from different fields to take an active interest in governance and contribute their expertise toward addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges.

He said Nigeria could not achieve meaningful progress if professionals continued to remain on the sidelines while people with limited capacity occupied positions of leadership. According to him, professionals should move beyond personal achievements and become actively involved in shaping policies that affect society.

He said, ‘We can feed our families, build our houses, and drive our cars. But what happens when people get into power and make policies that destroy everything we have built? When the right people are not at the helm of affairs, wrong policies will automatically become the order of the day.’

The CPPN President clarified that the organisation was neither a political party nor a pressure or agitation group, but a platform designed to encourage professionals-including doctors, lawyers, engineers, journalists, and lecturers-to participate actively in governance. He explained that the organisation had developed a structure extending from the national level to states, senatorial districts, and local governments, with the aim of encouraging professionals to engage government officials, ask questions, offer solutions, and promote accountability.

He noted that the organisation initially operated under the name Concerned Political Professionals Network but adopted the name Concerned Progressive Professional Network during its registration process to avoid being mistaken for a political party.

On the organisation’s reach, he said CPPN had attracted professionals within Nigeria, with formidable representation in 25 states currently, as well as in the diaspora. He added that it had structures in several Nigerian states and chapters in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

He expressed concern about the continued migration of Nigerian professionals abroad, popularly known as ‘Japa,’ saying many Nigerians in the diaspora were willing to return home but remained uncertain about the kind of environment they would meet. He stressed that Nigeria needed to create a system that would encourage professionals to return and contribute their knowledge and expertise to national development.

The CPPN President also cited several initiatives he had explored in the past, including efforts to attract foreign investment and introduce innovative projects into Nigeria, as examples of opportunities that could be lost when the right expertise and leadership were absent. He narrated an experience involving a medical technology he encountered in South Korea, which he said he attempted to introduce to Nigeria through contacts with government officials. He said the experience demonstrated the importance of having people who could identify useful opportunities, establish international connections, and work with government to bring beneficial innovations into the country.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel, Mr. Isa Isawade, said the chapel was established to bring professionalism, credibility, and accountability to the rapidly growing online media sector. He described the online media space as one of the fastest-growing sectors of journalism but expressed concern that it had, for a long time, operated without sufficient professional structure.

According to him, the ease of accessing smartphones and social media platforms has made it possible for virtually anybody to publish information without proper verification, giving rise to misinformation, fake news, and one-sided reports. He said the situation had become more complicated with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, which could be used to create manipulated audio and video materials capable of making people appear to say or do things they never said or did.

Isawade explained that the NUJ Online Media Chapel was established to provide structure for online journalism practice, register online media correspondents and publishers, promote verification, and provide a recognised channel through which government institutions, security agencies, organisations, and individuals could engage legitimate online journalists.

He said the chapel would also provide a platform through which individuals or organisations who felt misrepresented could lodge complaints, while members found culpable could face appropriate disciplinary measures. He added that the chapel had begun visiting government institutions, ministries, and security agencies to introduce the new structure and explain how they could engage with verified online media practitioners.

According to him, the chapel was also willing to support organisations such as CPPN in reaching the public through credible media platforms. He said, ‘If you want a particular number of media organisations to disseminate information about your programmes or policies, let us know. We know how to identify the appropriate platforms and members who can help you achieve that.’

He described CPPN’s vision as laudable and said the initiative deserved the support of patriotic Nigerians who desired good governance and national development.

Responding, the CPPN Welfare Director, Engr. Adebisi Oyenekan, expressed appreciation to members of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel for the visit, saying he was impressed by the chapel’s objectives and its commitment to responsible journalism. He said he had previously held reservations about media practitioners because of the perception that some could be influenced by money to publish information favourable to those who paid them. However, he said the presentation by the Online Media Chapel Chairman had changed his perception and convinced him that there were still journalists committed to truth and national development.

He said, ‘It is a thing of joy that we have this number of people who have come to share what they have at the back of their minds and, more importantly, demonstrate genuine concern for the country.’

He noted that Nigeria’s challenges required collective responsibility, saying citizens and leaders must work together to change the direction of the country. He also expressed concern about Nigerians who leave the country in search of better opportunities but sometimes become disconnected from their roots or exposed to negative influences in foreign environments. He said collaboration among professionals, media practitioners, and other stakeholders could create the synergy needed to achieve meaningful national development.

On his part, Mr. Muhammed Moyosore, who is also a lecturer in the Department of International Relations at Fountain University, said he initially approached CPPN with some suspicion but later became convinced by the sincerity and vision of its leadership. He said his decision to join the movement was based on the belief that although CPPN could not provide a complete solution to Nigeria’s challenges, it could make a meaningful contribution. According to him, ‘At the end of the day, you would look back and say, ‘I have also, one way or the other, contributed my own quota to the whole solution.”

He expressed optimism that the collaboration between professionals and the media would create more opportunities for public engagement and help communicate the vision of CPPN to Nigerians, adding that the ultimate objective was to build a better Nigeria for present and future generations.

The visit focused on strengthening mutual understanding, professional cooperation, and exploring areas of collaboration between the Online Media Chapel and CPPN.

Speaking on the outcome of the visit, Dr. Olusola expressed appreciation to the NUJ Online Media Chapel for the courtesy visit, describing the decision to collaborate with CPPN as a welcome development.

He said the organisation was committed to promoting unity, progress, professionalism, and nation-building, while expressing confidence that the partnership would produce positive results.

Dr. Olusola particularly commended Comrade Isawade for his leadership and for leading the chapel’s executives to the organisation.

He noted that the collaboration would provide an opportunity for both organisations to contribute to ethical journalism, responsible online media practice, and national development.

The CPPN National President further appreciated members and executives of the Online Media Chapel who participated in the visit, assuring them of the organisation’s readiness to work together for the success of the partnership.

The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two organisations and create opportunities for future programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting professionalism and responsible media practice in Osun State.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has ordered immediate dismantling of unauthorised beer parlours operating in the Asokoro axis of the territory.

Wike gave the order after a high-level security meeting with the FCT Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja on Friday.

Wike’s directive followed emerging security intelligence concerning the operations of the relaxation points.

Speaking on the security implications of the illegal operations, the minister said the FCT administration would take proactive measures to nip potential criminal activities in the bud before they escalate.

‘We have been told of some security threats originating from somewhere leading towards Asokoro, where some individuals are attempting to establish unauthorised beer parlour businesses.

‘We will not allow that. There is no such approval, and we will not permit it,’ he said.

To enforce the decision, Wike mandated the FCT Department of Development Control, alongside security agencies, to initiate an immediate clearance in the affected areas.

‘We have directed Development Control, in conjunction with security agencies, to go and chase them away before we begin to have security problems. We will not allow that at all,’ he said.

Wike said that publicising the decision was necessary to inform residents of the administration’s firm stance on maintaining law and order across the nation’s capital.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has declared the ongoing strike by the FCT Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) as political and baseless.

Wike, who stated this after meeting with chairmen of the six area councils in Abuja on Friday, directed the council chairmen to enforce a strict ‘no-work, no-pay’ policy against participating workers.

He added that he had directed the council leadership to clamp down on unapproved absence.

‘We have directed the chairmen of the area councils to call their teachers and state clearly: if anybody participates in this, we will implement no-work, no-pay.

‘Enough is enough; we cannot continue with this,’ Wike warned.

The minister rejected the rationale behind the industrial action, asserting that all legitimate demands raised by the teaching body, including promotions and operational matters, had been substantially resolved or were actively being implemented.

‘We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public: this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it.

‘There is no basis for anybody to call for a strike. We don’t have any issue with the Local Education Authorities or primary schools. Everything we have agreed on, we are implementing,’ he said.

Wike noted that secondary school teachers and other key union segments had distanced themselves from the strike action, recognising that the demands were already being met.

Addressing the political underpinnings of the shutdown, the minister directly challenged the political neutrality of the local NLC leadership.

He alleged that the union chairperson was a former candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the last February FCT area council elections.

‘You can see his interest. He is trying to ensure the FCT is in crisis as a political tool, telling voters that pupils are at home. We will not accept that blackmail.

‘If you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to do so, but excuse yourself from holding union leadership so you don’t politicise it,’ he advised.

The NLC had on Wednesday directed workers of the FCT Administration and those in the private sector to begin indefinite strike over unresolved issues between the FCTA and NUT.

The issues relate to NUT’s demand on the FCTA to withdraw the redeployment of some directors in agencies under the FCT Education Secretariat, rescheduling of 2025 promotion examination and removal of vacancy precondition for promotion.

The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Omolola Oloworaran, has urged pension operators yet to meet recapitalisation requirements to comply urgently ahead of the July 2027 deadline.

Oloworaran gave the directive at the 11th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) in Lagos on Thursday.

The conference had the theme: ‘Post-Recapitalisation Market Dynamics in Insurance and Pension Sectors’.

She said recapitalisation was necessary to strengthen institutions, improve their resilience to financial shocks and protect contributors’ retirement benefits.

‘I would like to warn the industry that all those who have not met the recapitalisation requirements must comply urgently. There is no going back,’ she said.

Oloworaran stressed that recapitalisation should go beyond creating bigger institutions to improving service delivery and retirement outcomes.

She urged regulators and operators to ensure that the reforms delivered tangible benefits to Nigerians.

‘If the people we exist to serve do not feel the impact, what is the importance of the reforms?’ she asked.

The PenCom boss said the commission was shifting its focus from accumulating pension assets to ensuring their effective allocation to generate better returns for contributors.

She also urged insurance and pension editors to hold regulators and operators accountable for the impact of their policies.

Also speaking, Mr Wale Oshin, Group Chief Executive Officer of Custodian Investment Plc, called on insurance companies and pension operators to strengthen collaboration to improve retirement security.

Oshin said recapitalisation offered an opportunity to strengthen institutions, improve technology and enhance their capacity to meet long-term obligations.

He, however, emphasised that increased capital must translate into better services and benefits for customers.

He called for greater attention to annuities and retirement income, warning that inadequate benefits could undermine public confidence in the pension system.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ebere Nwoji, Chairman of NAIPE, said the conference was organised to examine how capital raised by insurance and pension institutions could be invested prudently.

She commended the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Omosehin, for completing the insurance industry’s recapitalisation exercise.

Nwoji congratulated the 50 insurance and reinsurance institutions that met the requirements and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the sector’s improved financial capacity by purchasing insurance policies.

She also called on pension fund administrators (PFAs) to meet the revised capital requirements before the July 2027 deadline.

According to her, operators unable to meet the requirements independently should begin merger discussions early to ensure business continuity.

Nwoji also commended Oloworaran’s Pension Revolution 2.0 reforms, saying they could improve retirees’ welfare and reduce poverty in old age.

Mrs Ekeoma Ezeibe, President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, congratulated NAIPE and pledged the council’s continued support for the association.

She said more efforts were needed to advance the insurance and pension sectors.

More than 50 young people, secondary school students, aviation enthusiasts and industry stakeholders gathered in Enugu for the second edition of the South-East Aviation Summit Eastwing Youth Competition (SASEYC 2.0), aimed at exposing young Nigerians to career opportunities in the aviation industry.

The summit, held on October 3, 2026, at Bon Platinum Hotel, Enugu, was organised under the theme, ‘Advancing Youth Potentials Through Aviation Innovation and Excellence.’

The event featured presentations by aviation professionals, educationists and industry leaders, who urged young people to acquire the technical skills, discipline and professional qualifications needed to compete in the global aviation industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of Eastwing Aviation Institute, Dr Christopher Edeh, said the initiative was established to give young people early exposure to aviation and access to opportunities that previous generations may not have enjoyed.

Drawing on his experience in the Nigerian Air Force, Edeh said introducing young people to aviation early would help them make informed career choices, whether in piloting, aircraft engineering or other specialised fields.

He stressed that aspiring aviation professionals should not have to travel abroad to access quality training, emphasising the need to develop credible, accredited training opportunities within Nigeria.

Edeh also highlighted operational challenges that have contributed to the collapse of several Nigerian airlines, noting that sustainability in the aviation business requires sound management and strict adherence to safety standards.

He identified timely payment of workers’ salaries, replacement of life-limited aircraft components, continuous retraining of pilots and engineers, and effective management of fuel and other operational resources as essential to airline survival.

He commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for its role in enforcing safety standards and ensuring regulatory compliance. He also highlighted Eastwing Aviation Institute’s partnerships with aviation institutions in Scotland and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, which he said were helping expand access to industry-relevant training in the South-East.

The Father of the Day, HRH Igwe Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, commended Edeh for investing in aviation training and contributing to manpower development and the Nigerian economy.

Agubuzu encouraged young people to overcome their fear of flying, describing air transportation as one of the safest modes of transport.

He said aviation offered diverse career paths beyond piloting, including aircraft maintenance engineering, cabin crew services, aviation operations and management, air traffic services, safety oversight, aviation security, ticketing and passenger support.

He urged young people to pursue specialised training and obtain relevant professional certifications to improve their employment prospects in the industry.

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, Dr Ibrahim Bello Bashir, highlighted the global demand for aviation professionals and called for greater efforts to equip young people with the skills needed to fill emerging vacancies.

Bashir cited Boeing projections indicating that the global aviation industry would require approximately 2.5 million personnel, including pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground operations professionals, over the coming years.

He said Nigeria’s large youthful population presented an opportunity to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting domestic and international demand.

According to him, career opportunities extend beyond the cockpit, and skills shortages have created situations in which foreign nationals occupy positions that qualified Nigerians could potentially fill.

Bashir also encouraged young people to acquire practical skills in emerging and high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and underwater welding.

He emphasised that academic qualifications should be complemented by practical skills and recognised professional certifications, warning that young Africans without relevant expertise risk being disadvantaged in the global labour market.

The founding partner of Aeropath and Chief Executive Officer of Ubuntu HR Consulting, Laure Jifack, drew attention to the shortage of technical personnel in Africa’s aviation industry, particularly aircraft maintenance engineers and certified technicians.

Citing Boeing projections, Jifack said Africa would need approximately 24,000 additional aircraft maintenance technicians by 2044, while existing regional training capacity remained inadequate to meet the projected demand.

She described the shortage as both a challenge and an opportunity to develop a stronger indigenous aviation workforce.

Jifack said Eastwing Aviation Institute and Aeropath could work together to identify promising talent early, establish accessible career pathways and connect young people with internationally recognised training and certification opportunities, including EASA Part 66 qualifications.

She identified the high cost of training, travel requirements and lengthy training periods as major barriers preventing many young Africans from entering the industry.

According to her, the challenge is not necessarily a lack of talent but limited access to the training and certification needed to turn that talent into professional expertise.

The Chief Executive Officer of Queens Model Schools, Enugu, Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, also supported efforts to expose young people to aviation and other professional opportunities early in life.

Drawing from his personal experiences, including a visit to the Smithsonian Institution in the United States, Okenwa emphasised discipline, respect, hard work and high personal standards as foundations for lasting success.

He urged participants to understand that success went beyond titles and positions, noting that aviation demanded exceptional attention to detail because mistakes could have serious consequences.

Using aircraft accidents to illustrate the risks, he warned against allowing financial considerations to override established safety procedures.

Okenwa encouraged the young participants to take responsibility for their conduct and professional development, stressing that organisational excellence begins with individual discipline and leadership.

One of the summit’s emotional moments came during the presentation of certificates to the competition’s top 10 candidates, when the overall winner, Felix Favour Chinecherem, broke down in tears after her name was announced.

Chinecherem said she had dreamt of pursuing a career in aviation since she was 10 years old. She expressed gratitude to God and those who had given her the opportunity to participate in the competition.

In a message to fellow young people, she urged them not to abandon their ambitions because of challenges, encouraging them to remain persistent even when the journey appeared difficult.

Her experience reflected the central objective of SASEYC 2.0: identifying promising young people, exposing them to career opportunities and helping them take their first steps towards achieving their ambitions.

The convener of the summit and Chief Executive Officer of Artmatazz Media, Christian Agadibe, said the initiative had recorded progress since its first edition.

He recalled that the inaugural SASEYC produced Uyamadu Franklin as its winner. Franklin has since moved to Abuja, where he is undertaking industrial training in aircraft maintenance.

Agadibe said Franklin’s progress demonstrated the value of providing young people with early exposure, guidance and opportunities to pursue professional careers.

The second edition expanded on that foundation by connecting participants with aviation professionals, educators and industry stakeholders while highlighting the range of career opportunities available across the sector.

The presentation of certificates to the top 10 candidates and the recognition of distinguished individuals rounded off the event.

For the participants, SASEYC 2.0 provided an opportunity to learn from industry professionals and explore how they could contribute to the future of African aviation.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it will follow all electoral rules but will not accept any attempt to rig it out of the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, stated this on Wednesday when the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development visited the ADC national headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation was led by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The Savannah Centre is engaging political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections as part of efforts to promote peaceful, free and credible elections.

Mark said the ADC was committed to conducting its activities within the law and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

He said, ‘We are committed to playing politics in a manner that promotes public confidence in democracy.’

The ADC chairman said the party would obey the rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its own code of conduct, as contained in its Orange Book.

However, he said following electoral rules did not mean the party would accept electoral malpractice or attempts to manipulate the process against it.

Ariwoola said the visit was part of the Savannah Centre’s engagement with political parties and political leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

He urged ADC leaders to encourage their candidates and members to obey INEC rules and avoid political violence.

The Savannah Centre delegation included Professors Abdullahi Shehu and Azeez Musa Dankano, Executive Director Ambassador Sani Bala, Tunji Lardner and Ambassador Godswill Ighali, among others.

Meanwhile, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has urged INEC to ensure that eligible voters who register for the 2027 elections are able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The council said voter registration figures would have little meaning if registered voters could not collect their PVCs.

In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council also urged INEC to remain neutral and transparent throughout the electoral process.

Ologbondiyan said INEC should not take any action that could give an advantage to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said the commission should focus not only on voter registration but also on making sure registered voters could easily collect their PVCs.

The council expressed concern over alleged delays and bureaucratic problems at PVC collection centres, especially in areas it described as opposition strongholds.

It called on INEC to move PVC collection to the ward level, extend collection hours and use technology to inform voters when their cards are ready.

Ologbondiyan also urged INEC to comply with the Constitution and Electoral Act throughout the election process.

He said the ADC-PCC would continue to monitor INEC’s activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

The council urged Nigerians, especially first time voters, not to be discouraged by administrative challenges but to participate in the electoral process and collect their PVCs.

Ologbondiyan said the ADC remained committed to an election where all eligible Nigerians would have equal opportunities to vote and where legitimate votes would be counted.

The Independent National Electoral Commiss (INEC) Commission has warned that political parties which failed to comply with the membership-register requirement could be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections, with no opportunity to replace those affected.

INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, said parties would not be allowed to substitute candidates to escape the consequences of breaching the law.

Speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme on Wednesday, Haruna warned that the consequences could extend to governorship and state Houses of Assembly contests. He said the commission was reviewing the Supreme Court judgment before announcing its definitive position.

‘No party will be able to change candidates. They won’t contest the election. Remember Zamfara and Plateau. The law is clear,’ Haruna said.

He explained that parties must submit their membership registers to INEC at least three weeks before their primaries, while those seeking tickets must have their names on the relevant register.

‘Some parties won’t even field governorship candidates down to Houses of Assembly if the candidates’ names were not in the party’s register three weeks before the primaries,’ he said.

The warning follows the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment restoring provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing party membership registers and candidate nomination.

The apex court overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision which had voided Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Act.

The restored provisions restrict participation in primaries to members listed in the register submitted to INEC, require parties to use that register and prevent a party which failed to submit it within the stipulated period from fielding a candidate.

Haruna said INEC would consult its legal experts on the certified judgment and expected to make a clear pronouncement by Tuesday next week.

His remarks did not identify any particular party or candidate as having been excluded.

Meanwhile, several parties have defended their nomination processes following the ruling.

A Nigerian Air Force pilot made a precautionary landing on a farmland in Benue State after completing a combat mission against suspected kidnappers.

The helicopter had provided close air support to ground troops during an operation in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area, near the Benue-Enugu boundary, before the pilot decided to land about 10 nautical miles from the airfield while returning to base.

Residents said the aircraft came down on farmland in Utur Tse-Igboji community in Makurdi.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the decision was taken as a safety precaution following the operation.

‘Following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield,’ Ejodame said.

‘This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions.’

The Air Force said the helicopter later returned safely to base.

According to NAF, the operation targeted suspected kidnappers in Ogbadigbo and helped disrupt their activities while supporting the advance of troops on the ground.

The unusual landing comes just days after the Nigerian Air Force suffered a deadly aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed into a swamp opposite a naval base on Monday.

No survivors were found following the crash.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the Ondo tragedy as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the country.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning for the victims and ordered an investigation into the accident.

NAF, however, stressed that Wednesday’s Benue incident was a precautionary landing and that the helicopter returned to base.