Category: PM News

Nigeria is emerging as one of the leading centres of artificial intelligence (AI) activity in Africa, alongside Kenya and South Africa, according to the World Bank.

The assessment is contained in the bank’s latest Africa Economic Update, which examines the readiness of Sub-Saharan African countries to harness AI for economic growth and development.

The World Bank said AI activity in the region was heavily concentrated in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, which account for a significant share of Africa’s innovation ecosystem, venture capital investment, research output and advanced AI applications.

It said the three countries were at the forefront of Africa’s emerging AI ecosystem, although most African economies remained at the early stages of adopting and adapting existing AI technologies.

The report noted that 44 per cent of firms surveyed in Nigeria and Kenya were already using AI technologies, compared with 61 per cent of surveyed firms in the United States.

However, the bank said the sophistication of AI deployment remained lower in the two African countries, with many businesses still using basic applications rather than integrating AI deeply into their operations.

The World Bank also identified Nigeria and South Africa as the continent’s leading centres of AI research.

Between 2000 and 2024, Nigeria produced 4,428 AI-related publications and recorded 64,925 citations, while South Africa produced 7,647 publications and recorded 142,024 citations, according to the report.

The bank said Nigeria’s growing position in the AI ecosystem was also reflected in the expansion of its developer community and digital infrastructure.

It noted that AI activity was increasingly concentrated around countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, while almost half of Africa’s approximately 160 data centre facilities were located in the three countries.

Despite the progress, the World Bank warned that major infrastructure gaps could limit the benefits Nigeria and other African countries derive from AI.

It identified reliable electricity, affordable internet connectivity, digital skills, quality data, computing infrastructure, strong institutions and effective governance as critical foundations for wider AI adoption.

The bank said Africa’s immediate opportunity was not necessarily to compete with advanced economies in developing frontier AI models, but to adopt and adapt affordable AI solutions to address local development challenges.

Such applications, it said, could improve productivity and service delivery in areas including education, agriculture, healthcare, finance, logistics and public administration.

The World Bank also said AI could become a major source of economic growth and job creation if African countries successfully addressed their readiness gaps.

Under an ambitious scenario, the report projects that AI could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2035 and create between 35 million and 40 million digital jobs.

For Nigeria, the report’s assessment presents a mixed picture: the country is already one of Africa’s major AI centres, but sustained investment in electricity, digital infrastructure, skills, data and governance will be required to turn its growing AI activity into broader economic opportunities.

The World Bank stressed that the challenge for African countries was therefore not simply to adopt AI, but to create the conditions needed for the technology to deliver inclusive development and improved living standards.The World Bank’s own Africa Economic Update confirms the central point, while the specific Nigeria figures above are reported from coverage of the October 2026 report.

Lagos State Government will review private investment opportunities and private sector participation in the electricity market in November as it assesses progress under the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024.

The government disclosed this in a statement by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources ahead of the second Lagos Energy Summit, scheduled for November 10 and 11, 2026, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The summit was initially planned for September but was moved to November to allow for further preparations.

The meeting will focus on how the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 is affecting private investment in the power sector. Discussions will also cover renewable energy, electricity infrastructure and decentralised power generation.

Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the summit would review progress since the electricity law was introduced and create opportunities for partnerships and investment across the power sector.

He said the government wants the summit to help attract investments that will improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Lagos.

Private power projects increase

Several private companies are currently developing power projects across Lagos.

Fenchurch Power Limited is rebuilding the 26MW Akute Independent Power Plant under a concession agreement with the Lagos State Government.

The project will provide electricity to the Akute Intake, Iju Waterworks and Adiyan Waterworks, while excess power will be supplied to Ikeja Electric’s network.

Work on the project began in September. The company is replacing the existing engines with new MWM gas engines. About 10MW is expected to be available within four months, while the remaining 16MW is expected within 12 months.

The Akute project is part of wider agreements signed by the Lagos government with Mainland Power, Fenchurch Power and Viathan Engineering in April.

The agreements aim to increase electricity generation in Lagos from less than 60MW to between 200MW and 400MW within the next two to three years.

Elektron Energy Development also received an operational licence in September for its 40MW Victoria Island Power project. The project is expected to begin commercial operations in December and supply businesses through a dedicated distribution network.

Sahara Power Enterprises Group started construction in August on a 12MW independent power plant in Ogba. The project is reportedly worth $12 million and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

Lagos expands decentralised power generation

Private investment is also growing in off grid power, embedded generation, private electricity distribution and mini grids.

In May, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission approved 14 licences and permits covering different areas of the electricity market, including off grid generation, embedded generation, independent electricity distribution, metering and interconnected mini grids.

The approvals included Axxela’s 5.8MW off grid project for Cadbury Nigeria in Agidingbi, a 9MW embedded generation project by Isolo Power Gen and an independent distribution network licence for Isolo Power Supply.

LASERC is also considering applications for proposed 10MW, 24MW, 30MW and 50MW power projects in Epe, Apapa, Agidingbi and Ibeju Lekki.

The proposed projects include dedicated electricity supply for critical infrastructure, industrial and commercial customers, private distribution networks and decentralised power generation.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his Ekiti State counterpart, Biodun Oyebanji, are expected to headline the 26th National Women Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), scheduled to hold in Lagos from October 26 to 28.

The two governors have been invited as Special Guests of Honour for the opening and closing ceremonies respectively, as COWLSO prepares to host women from different sectors and walks of life for three days of conversations on purpose, leadership, empowerment and legacy.

The First Lady of Lagos State and Chairperson of COWLSO, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference in Lagos ahead of the conference.

The conference, themed ‘Anchored for Purpose: Be the Blueprint,’ will take place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, with both physical and virtual participation.

Sanwo-Olu said the decision to invite Oborevwori and Oyebanji reflected the growing national reach of the conference and its increasing recognition as a platform for advancing the development and empowerment of women.

She said the participation of the two governors would also underscore the importance of national collaboration in addressing issues affecting women, families and communities.

According to her, the 2026 edition is the 26th National Women Conference and the eighth to be held under the administration of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

She said the conference had evolved beyond an annual gathering into a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, empowerment and meaningful conversations on issues affecting women and society.

Sanwo-Olu said this year’s theme was designed to challenge women to recognise the responsibilities that accompany influence, opportunity and leadership.

She explained that being ‘the blueprint’ meant creating examples, values and structures that could positively influence families, workplaces, communities and future generations.

The conference is expected to attract government officials, policymakers, professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, development practitioners, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, community leaders, young women and women’s groups.

Sanwo-Olu said the three-day programme would feature an opening ceremony and keynote lectures on the first day, further lectures and presentations on the second day, alongside the traditional COWLSO Gala Night.

The final day will feature the closing ceremony, providing participants with an opportunity to reflect on the lessons and commitments arising from the conference.

She also announced a pre-conference walk themed ‘Blueprint in Motion: From Vision to Action,’ which will take participants through notable locations across Lagos Island, including Tafawa Balewa Square, the National Museum, Tinubu Square, MUSON Centre, Eko Atlantic and the Palace of the Oba of Lagos.

According to her, the walk is intended to connect the conference’s message of purpose and legacy with the history, culture and development of Lagos.

COWLSO will also pay courtesy visits to prominent senior women in Lagos, including Mrs A.Y. Oyediran Kakawa, Erelu Dosumu and Mrs Bintu Tinubu.

An awareness walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, as part of activities designed to take the conference’s message beyond the venue and into the wider community.

Sanwo-Olu said the conference would be conducted in a hybrid format to enable participants who cannot attend physically to join virtually.

Physical participation is pegged at N150,000, with space for 3,000 participants, while virtual participation costs N50,000 with no limit on attendance.

Registration commenced on September 15 and is scheduled to close on October 15, while late physical registration will attract an additional N15,000.

Sanwo-Olu said only five participants would be accommodated physically from each ministry, department and agency, while virtual participation would remain open.

She urged women across Nigeria and beyond to participate in the conference, saying its ultimate value would be measured by what participants did with the knowledge, relationships and ideas generated.

She said the conference was designed to encourage women to move ‘from vision to action, from intention to impact’ and to leave the spaces they occupy better than they found them.

The Ayeka Kingdom in Okitipupa, Ondo State has been thrown into mourning following the accidental killing of a High Chief, Akinwalere Akinola during a funeral rite of another chief in the town.

The unfortunate incident happened during the funeral rite organised on Tuesday for late Chief Omosuyi Obolo, the Odunwo of Ayeka.

One of the chiefs (name withheld) attempted to fire a celebratory gunshot into the air during the funeral, but an accidental discharge struck High Chief Akinola in the head, killing him instantly, it was learnt.

The ceremony, which had drawn family members, community leaders, and residents together, was abruptly halted as panic spread following the tragic gunshot.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the Public Relations Officer, Ondo State Police Command confirmed that one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

He added that investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and information would be made public after the conclusion of the investigation.

Speaking on Thursday in Okitipupa, Oba Michael Babatunde-Ayeyowa, the Lumure of Ayeka Kingdom expressed sadness over the incident.

He said that the tragedy has affected chiefs and residents of the kingdom negatively.

The traditional ruler stated that the situation called for a traditional investigation, describing the event as a bad omen that no leader should ever witness.

He described the incident as shocking and sad, saying ‘although a king does not mourn but since that incident I have not been feeling fine.’

‘My chiefs are not happy, even residents of the community are not wearing good looks over the matter since the day of the incident, because it is an unfortunate incident.

‘Such incident calls for traditional investigation and we will do all the necessary things in order to avert such a horrible incident and I also pray not to witness such throughout my reign on this throne,’ he said.

The traditional ruler, however, urged his chiefs to push the incident past them and urge residents to go about their normal business activities, assuring them of peace and stability in the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Chief Andrew Olibamo, the Aribo of Ayeka, expressed shock over the incident, stating that all chiefs in the kingdom were deeply saddened by the tragedy.

‘It’s an unfortunate incident but we will do all necessary things traditionally to avert a repeat of such an horrible incident,’ Olibamo said.

High Chief Kolawole Adeule, the Kanye of Ayeka, also expressed sadness over the incident, saying the incident affected Kabiyesi, all chiefs and residents of the community.

He noted that traditional funeral rites were not unusual in the community, adding that the chief responsible for the accidental discharge must be thoroughly investigated.

‘It is our culture and tradition to organise funeral rites for our late colleagues; this incident won’t stop further rites too but we will need be more careful in subsequent ones,’ Adeule said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has emphasised the importance of good vision among professional drivers, saying visual fitness is critical to preventing avoidable road traffic crashes.

The Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the national inauguration of the FRSC-BATMedics Free Medical Outreach for Vision Improvement Tests and Surgical Interventions.

The outreach themed ‘See Clearly, Drive Safely’ was organised by FRSC in collaboration with BATMedics and Vision Savers Eye Care Centre.

Mohammed, represented by Ibrahim Mbazama, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), Special Duties and External Relations said the initiative was designed to provide vision improvement tests and appropriate surgical interventions for Nigerians, particularly professional drivers.

He said the event served as a reminder that road safety was fundamentally about saving lives, noting that a simple vision test could lead to timely diagnosis, effective treatment and safer driving.

He also said the outreach was significant because it brought together healthcare and road safety, while coinciding with the global observance of World Sight Day.

‘Road safety goes beyond enforcement, as it requires deliberate attention to human, vehicle and environmental factors that contribute to road traffic crashes,’ he said.

Mohammed identified visual fitness as one of the critical human factors affecting safe driving, noting that good vision was essential for drivers to identify road signs, pedestrians, vehicles, traffic signals and other hazards in sufficient time to respond appropriately.

The Corps Marshal said impaired vision could compromise driving performance and increase the risk of crashes, stressing that the medical outreach was therefore not merely a healthcare programme but an important road safety intervention.

He explained that through the initiative, drivers experiencing visual challenges would have access to professional assessment and, where necessary, treatment or surgical intervention.

Mohammed expressed the FRSC’s satisfaction with its partnership with BATMedics, describing the collaboration as a demonstration of the importance of partnerships in advancing public health and road safety.

He commended BATMedics for committing its resources and expertise to the initiative and appreciated the management of Jabi Motor Park for providing a platform to reach professional drivers and other beneficiaries.

The Corps Marshal urged drivers to regard their health as an essential component of their profession and take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the outreach.

He also encouraged them to undergo the recommended medical examinations and comply with professional medical advice, stressing that taking care of their vision was also a way of protecting themselves and other road users.

‘By caring for your vision, you are protecting yourself and all other road users,’ he said.

Mohammed further noted that preventive interventions such as the outreach could help reduce avoidable crashes, injuries and loss of lives.

He said road safety was fundamentally about identifying and addressing risks before they resulted in tragedy, adding that the FRSC would continue to support initiatives promoting driver fitness, public enlightenment and preventive healthcare.

He also pledged the Corps’ continued collaboration with relevant stakeholders in advancing interventions capable of improving road safety and protecting lives.

The Corps Marshal called on other organisations to emulate the initiative by supporting efforts to bring essential health services closer to people who keep the nation’s transportation system running.

He stressed the need for stakeholders to explore interventions addressing other health concerns that could affect the safe operation of vehicles.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 8,665 confirmed cases and 4,178 deaths, with transmission slowing in some areas but growing elsewhere.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said this on Wednesday during a news conference, saying contact tracing had improved significantly, with about 2,000 alerts reported daily and nearly five million people reached.

He said clinical trials of Ebola therapeutics were progressing, with more than 600 people enrolled, while a vaccine trial was expected later in October, with efforts underway to ensure equitable access.

Ghebreyesus, however, said significant challenges remained, noting that most Ebola deaths still occurred in communities rather than treatment centres, while contact tracing had yet to reach levels required for containment.

He said the outbreak was also unfolding amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis, with new transmission hotspots continuing to emerge in spite of an overall decline, including areas near South Sudan’s border.

The WHO chief said Kenya had reported its first imported Ebola case after a citizen who became ill in the DRC travelled through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi, where he died.

He said Kenyan authorities were monitoring 55 contacts, including passengers and crew members who travelled with the patient from Kampala to Nairobi, while WHO continued supporting the country’s response efforts.

Ghebreyesus commended Kenya for its prompt action and timely notification of WHO under International Health Regulations, emphasising that preparedness, screening and contact tracing were more effective than travel restrictions.

He said the health situation in Gaza remained critical, with the needs of almost two million people overwhelming available services, and called for uninterrupted humanitarian supplies and restored healthcare access.

The WHO chief said the organisation had also released new guidelines addressing rising obesity among children and adolescents, noting prevalence had quadrupled globally over 25 years, from two per cent.

‘More than 170 million children and adolescents now live with obesity, according to WHO, which recommends structured changes to diet, behaviour and physical activity, alongside guidance on medicines, bariatric surgery. WHO also launched a global roadmap on hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, which accounts for about 16 per cent of maternal deaths globally and remains a major concern. The condition is associated with 42,000 maternal deaths and more than 500,000 stillbirths and newborn deaths annually, highlighting the urgent need for improved prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care worldwide. The roadmap seeks to accelerate investment and innovation to expand access to proven interventions, medicines and other measures for preventing and treating pre-eclampsia, particularly in countries with limited resources,’ he said.

According to him, ahead of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, attention would focus on the lived experiences of people with mental health conditions, especially those institutionalised previously.

He said the organisation would inaugurate a practical guide to help countries move from institutionalised mental healthcare towards person-centred community services that respected people’s rights, dignity and personal choices.

On a separate development, he said WHO was seeking further information from Russia over the death of a laboratory worker following severe pneumonia amid reports of pneumonic plague.

The WHO chief said Russia reported that no recent plague case had been detected in Irkutsk oblast and that about 200 contacts had been quarantined, while additional information was requested.

He said WHO had also sought verification of reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause and had offered technical support on biosafety, biosecurity and plague management.

Ghebreyesus said WHO could not yet conduct a full risk assessment because it lacked complete information, emphasising that transparent and timely data sharing remained essential for public health.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to disregard evidence of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke’s acquittal by a United Kingdom court in a suit challenging the forfeiture of her assets.

The anti-graft agency made the request in a further counter-affidavit filed in opposition to Diezani’s application seeking to introduce the UK court’s decision as evidence in the ongoing proceedings.

Diezani was acquitted on June 17, 2026, by the Southwark Crown Court in London of criminal allegations of bribery brought against her in the United Kingdom.

Following the acquittal, the former minister asked the Federal High Court to allow her to present the development as a subsequent event that is relevant to her challenge against the forfeiture and proposed sale of some of her assets.

In the substantive suit, Diezani is challenging, among other things, an EFCC public notice concerning the auction and sale of properties and personal effects which she claims affect her proprietary rights.

However, in its further counter-affidavit filed on October 5, the EFCC argued that the UK acquittal has no bearing on the issues before the Nigerian court.

Oyakhilome Ekienabor, a litigation officer in the law firm of Mofesomo Oyetibo, counsel to the EFCC, said the proceedings before the Southwark Crown Court were separate from the Nigerian proceedings and should not be introduced into the case.

‘The proceedings before the Southwark Crown Court, London, United Kingdom, and the purported acquittal of the applicant therein, are in respect of a proceeding that is not being prosecuted before any Nigerian court and have nothing to do with the substantive suit before this honourable court,’ the affidavit stated.

EFCC: Forfeiture order concerns jewellery

The commission also disputed the suggestion that the forfeiture proceedings before the Nigerian court were affected by the outcome of the UK criminal case.

According to the EFCC, the relevant forfeiture order relates specifically to jewellery and does not cover other categories of assets or properties.

‘The order for forfeiture relates exclusively to items of jewellery and does not extend to any other category of assets or properties,’ Ekienabor stated.

The commission further argued that Diezani’s supplementary affidavit contained facts that were irrelevant to the issues requiring determination by the court.

It accused the former minister of attempting to divert the court’s attention from the substantive questions before it and urged the judge to disregard the portion of her supplementary affidavit seeking to introduce evidence of the UK acquittal.

Diezani: Acquittal is a material development

Diezani, through her counsel, has maintained that her acquittal in the UK is a material development that occurred after she had filed her earlier court processes and should therefore be considered by the Nigerian court.

Her counsel, Mike Ozekhome, argued that the development was relevant to questions surrounding the absence of a conviction, fair hearing, due process and the propriety of depriving his client of her property.

Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also clarified that Diezani was not asking the Federal High Court to sit on appeal over the decision of the Southwark Crown Court.

Rather, he argued that the UK judgment should be considered as a subsequent material fact that could assist the Nigerian court in determining the issues raised in her suit.

Case adjourned

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Queen-Ubokutom Uwe, who appeared for Diezani, informed Justice Inyang Ekwo that the EFCC had served her legal team with the further counter-affidavit shortly before the hearing.

Paul Mgbeoma, counsel for the EFCC, told the court that the commission was ready to proceed with the matter.

Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the case until November 11 for the hearing of the pending motions.

The court is expected to determine, among other issues, whether the evidence relating to Diezani’s UK acquittal can properly be introduced and considered in the Nigerian proceedings.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has predicted that the President will defeat his opponents by a wide margin in the 2027 presidential election.

Bwala said Tinubu would perform better in 2027 than he did in the 2023 election, when he defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Speaking on Tuesday, the presidential adviser said he was confident the gap between Tinubu and other presidential candidates would be far wider this time.

‘Let me tell you and let me say it categorically and I will be happy to come back. The margin of gap that President Bola Tinubu will give each and every one of these candidates will be so much that you won’t believe it,’ Bwala said.

Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes.

Atiku finished second, while Obi came third.

Bwala said his confidence was partly based on the growing number of governors and political figures from opposition parties now supporting Tinubu.

Several governors elected on opposition platforms have defected to the All Progressives Congress since the 2023 election.

According to Bwala, the President is expected to enjoy the backing of more governors in 2027 than he did during his first presidential campaign.

He maintained that the political realignments taking place across the country would strengthen Tinubu’s position ahead of the election.

The Group Managing Director of CFL Group of Companies, Lai Omotola has given the Lagos State Land Registry a seven-day ultimatum to rectify land documents allegedly falsified by speculators or face N5 billion legal action.

He said land title forgery and cloning had persisted in Lagos over the years, with several banks allegedly falling victim to fraudulent Certificates of Occupancy (CofOs) used as collateral for loans.

According to him, some financial institutions only discovered that the documents were fake after the loans secured with the properties had gone into default.

Omotola recalled that during the administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos State Government demolished a market opposite the Government House where, according to him, forged Certificates of Occupancy were allegedly produced.

He said, however, that the practice had evolved into a more sophisticated operation because of the huge financial interests involved and the alleged participation of highly placed individuals both within and outside government.

Omotola explained that the alleged ‘Land Title Laundry’ scheme typically begins with the identification of abandoned properties in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, where land values are particularly high.

He alleged that speculators would identify the name of a prominent person who had died and use the person’s identity to establish a fictitious ownership history for the property.

He said they would then allegedly obtain forged land certificates, sometimes backdated to the 1970s when historical records were difficult to trace, before introducing the documents into the official land registry system.

‘Once the document is ready, they have staff in Alausa working in Land Registry that will insert the documents into the system. Immediately this is achieved, the title document will automatically become the original,’ Omotola alleged.

He said the alleged perpetrators would subsequently declare the supposed original document lost, obtain a police affidavit and proceed to register a Governor’s Consent, thereby creating the impression that the property had been legitimately transferred.

Omotola stressed that a Certificate of Occupancy was different from a Governor’s Consent, saying the distinction was important for property owners and prospective investors to understand.

He explained that a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy involves the government allocating land and granting a title, while a Governor’s Consent represents the Governor’s approval of a transaction between individuals or entities.

Omotola said the issuance of a Governor’s Consent did not automatically cure defects in the underlying title, adding that such consent could be cancelled if subsequent investigations established forgery or misrepresentation in the documents submitted.

He said his warning was informed by an experience involving his company and a property located at 24 Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Omotola said his company purchased the property and commenced construction before another company allegedly arrived with police officers and sealed the premises, claiming ownership based on a Governor’s Consent.

He said the opposing party claimed that the original owner of the land was Samuel Oladele Ige, who allegedly sold it to the late Alhaji Ganiyu Amusan, the father of businessman Tayo Amusan.

Omotola said his company investigated the purported chain of ownership and visited the family of Samuel Ige, whom he identified as the younger brother of the late former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige.

He said the family informed them that Samuel Ige died in 2012, making it impossible for him to have sold the property in 2015.

Omotola added that the family also said there was nothing in Ige’s will indicating that he owned a property at 24 Adeola Odeku Street.

He said further investigation into the claim involving Alhaji Ganiyu Amusan showed that he died in 1994, making it equally impossible for him to have purchased the property in 2015.

Omotola said the investigation also uncovered a police affidavit purportedly sworn by Samuel Ige in 2015 declaring that his original land certificate had been lost.

He said Ige’s first son, Niyi, disputed the authenticity of the affidavit, alleging that the photograph and signature on the document were not those of his late father.

He further alleged that a letter of objection purportedly written by Samuel Ige before the release of the Governor’s Consent was received by the Land Registry on September 1, 2015, three years after his death.

Omotola said the Ige family subsequently petitioned the Land Registry, which, according to him, found merit in the allegations and invited the beneficiaries of the disputed Governor’s Consent for proceedings that could lead to its deregistration.

He alleged that the beneficiaries failed to honour the invitation on two occasions and instead continued construction on the property while allegedly relying on security agencies.

Omotola said the affected landowners were demanding that the disputed consent be deregistered and the land documents corrected to reflect the legitimate ownership of the property.

He warned that failure by the Land Registry to act within seven days would compel the affected landowners to approach the courts, where they would seek N5 billion in damages.

Omotola insisted that the landowners were not beneficiaries of corruption within the system, stressing that they were seeking protection for legitimately acquired properties and accountability in the administration of land records.

He called on the Lagos State Government to investigate the alleged manipulation of land documents and strengthen the land registry system to prevent fraudulent titles from being introduced into official records.

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, has warned that the party will resist any attempt to manipulate the 2027 general elections or rig it out of the contest.

Mark spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when he received members of the governing council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development at the ADC national headquarters.

The delegation was led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (retd.).

Mark said the ADC was prepared to comply with electoral rules and conduct itself responsibly throughout the election.

‘We hold ourselves to the highest standards of good conduct as a political party. We will play by the rules. But we will not accept rigging or allow ourselves to be rigged out,’ he said.

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

The former Senate President said the party would comply with guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission as well as provisions of its Orange Book, which outlines its code of conduct and governance principles.

Mark had previously warned against the use of state institutions to influence the outcome of the 2027 elections, insisting that the credibility of the polls must be protected.

Speaking during the visit, Ariwoola said the Savannah Centre was seeking commitments from political parties and candidates towards peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

He urged the ADC leadership to ensure that its candidates and supporters obey INEC rules and avoid actions capable of triggering political violence.

The visit formed part of ongoing engagements by the centre’s Council of the Wise with political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the elections.

The council was reconstituted in June with a mandate to promote credible elections and engage political actors, electoral authorities, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders and civil society organisations.