Category: PM News

Women will play a decisive role in the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) bid to retain power in the 2027 general elections, Director General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, has said.

Yari made the assertion in Abuja on Wednesday at the Women Stakeholders’ Mobilisation and Empowerment Pre-Inaugural Summit organised by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. He urged APC women leaders across the country to intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure the party’s campaign reaches communities, wards and polling units ahead of the elections.

The summit attracted APC women leaders and stakeholders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Among those in attendance were wives of political office holders, members of the National Assembly, ministers, women support groups and other party stakeholders.

Yari assured the women that the Presidential Campaign Council would work closely with them to strengthen their mobilisation efforts and establish an effective campaign network.

He called for unity among the women, stressing that their participation in the summit showed their commitment to playing an active role in the 2027 electoral process.

The APC is developing its women mobilisation structure across states, local government areas, wards, communities and polling units as part of efforts to deepen its grassroots support ahead of the elections.

Addressing the gathering, the First Lady thanked Nigerian women for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged them to return to their various states to mobilise support for the APC.

She said the President valued the contribution of women and appreciated their support for his administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu also urged the women to educate Nigerians at the grassroots about the policies and programmes of the administration, particularly those targeted at improving economic opportunities and supporting families.

According to her, the theme of the summit, ‘Renewed Hope Agenda 2.0: From Reforms to Prosperity,’ reflected the administration’s efforts to transform the economy through its ongoing reforms.

She listed falling inflation, rising foreign reserves, increased investment interest, support for farmers and access to student loans among developments she attributed to the administration.

The First Lady described Tinubu as a leader willing to take difficult decisions and expressed confidence that the reforms would lead the country towards greater prosperity.

The APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Alile Idele, charged party women to strengthen their grassroots structures and ensure that government empowerment programmes reached women and families across the country.

Idele said women’s responsibilities went beyond securing electoral support for the party, adding that they should also help connect women with economic opportunities and government interventions.

She described the summit as an avenue to strengthen the APC women’s network and promote coordinated mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Director of Women Mobilisation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Betta Edu, said the party had commenced its women mobilisation drive across the country.

Edu disclosed that the campaign was targeting 40 million votes from women for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

She said mobilisation structures were being established across the 36 states, the FCT, 774 local government areas, wards, communities and polling units.

‘We are moving into the 2027 electoral season with purpose, structure, and determination. Our target is 40 million women’s votes, and we are building the organisation required to achieve it,’ Edu said.

She added that the mobilisation programme would focus not only on rallies but also on enterprise development, agriculture, skills acquisition, governance and community development.

Women beneficiaries at the event also received livelihood support items, including tricycles, sewing machines, refrigerators and agricultural equipment.

The summit is part of the APC’s wider preparations to consolidate its women’s mobilisation network ahead of the 2027 general elections under the message, ‘One Voice, One Movement, One Choice, One Mandate 2027.’

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has mocked former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi over his recent remark linking his mother’s death to the President’s economic policies.

Bwala spoke on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he accused Amaechi of pushing what he described as false and populist narratives ahead of the 2027 election.

Amaechi, the ADC vice-presidential candidate, had made the controversial remark during an earlier television interview after being asked whether Tinubu’s policies were responsible for his mother’s death.

Responding jokingly at the time, Amaechi said: ‘Of course, before Tinubu, my mother was healthy.’

Bwala, however, seized on the comment while criticising Amaechi’s recent attacks on the Tinubu administration.

‘Having worked in Atiku’s camp before and seeing what Amaechi is bringing to their camp, I think he is bringing a bit of what I would call liveliness, but he is bringing a bit of fake news, populism narrative that is not necessarily, innuendo, and falsehood,’ Bwala said.

He singled out the remark about Amaechi’s mother as an example.

‘For example, one of the falsehoods he peddled was that the economic policies of the President killed his mother,’ he said.

Bwala then dragged Peter Obi into his response, referring to an earlier controversial remark associated with the NDC presidential candidate.

‘Even the madman who used to advise Peter Obi would not believe that the economic policy of President Tinubu killed Amaechi’s mother,’ he said.

The exchange adds another layer to the growing war of words between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures as political campaigns intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Periwinkle Empire has entered Abuja’s luxury real estate market with plans to develop a $150 million, 20-storey residential tower in the city’s Central Business District.

The project, known as Royalties Abuja, is being developed in partnership with Prime Luxury Address Ltd and is situated opposite the United States Consulate in the heart of the capital.

The developers formalised the partnership on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during a consortium agreement signing and official handover of the project site.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of Prime Luxury Address Ltd, Dr Peter Adejoh, said the partnership was formed to bring a new standard of premium residential development to Abuja.

According to him, the project is designed not only to transform the city’s skyline but also to support economic activity through employment and opportunities for professionals, artisans and young Nigerians.

‘Royalties Abuja represents more than another addition to the capital’s skyline. It is a deliberate investment in quality, employment and the future of Abuja’s real estate market,’ Adejoh said.

For Periwinkle Empire Chairman, Dr Chiedu A. Nweke, the development marks the company’s first major project in Abuja and an important step in its expansion beyond Lagos.

Nweke, popularly known as the ‘King of High Rise,’ said the choice of Abuja was influenced by the city’s strategic importance, prime locations and long-term investment prospects.

He added that the company’s experience with high-rise and luxury developments in Lagos had prepared it for the new project in Abuja.

After the agreement was signed, the development partners moved to the site for the formal transfer of the land to Periwinkle Empire and its main contractor, Al Mansour Contracting Limited.

The contractor’s representative, Engr Wael Mansour, said the company would apply international engineering and construction standards throughout the project.

He said the development would incorporate modern design, engineering and finishing while targeting LEED certification for sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Meanwhile, Tunde Olatunji, Managing Director of Periwinkle Condos, said Royalties Abuja would become one of the capital’s most prominent residential developments.

Olatunji described the project as a high-value investment with a development value of more than $150 million, adding that it would raise the bar for luxury, comfort and investment returns in Abuja.

Nollywood actor Ikechukwu ‘IK’ Ogbonna, who attended the ceremony, also welcomed the development, describing his growing involvement in real estate as an opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s economy.

The project is supported by Detail Commercial Solicitors as lead counsel, while Deloitte is serving as financial and transaction adviser.

With construction set to move into its next phase, the developers said the focus would be on creating an iconic residential tower capable of meeting the demands of Abuja’s premium property market.

They also expect the development to create jobs during construction and after completion, while boosting businesses and other economic activities linked to the project.

For Periwinkle Empire, the Abuja project represents a significant expansion of its luxury real estate footprint, following its developments in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State seeking an order restraining the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and others from freezing his bank accounts.

Other respondents in the suit included the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS) and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) sued as 2nd to 4th respondents respectively.

Justic Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment, dismissed the suit for being an abuse of court process because the former governor had filed a similar suit in the FCT High Court.

Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the arguments of the ICPC, EFCC, DSS and AGF that a court of law cannot be used by any citizen to prevent law enforcement agencies from performing their statutory duties.

The judge held that the suit was speculative in nature and lacked merit.

She also agreed that the case did not disclose any reasonable cause of action against the EFCC, DSS and AGF, and subsequently struck out their names from the suit.

El-Rufai, in the originating process marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/368/2026, prayed the court to restrain the respondents from taking any step to freeze his bank accounts or seize his assets, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The suit, dated Feb. 23, was filed Feb. 24 by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN.

The ex-governor urged the court for an order of interim injunction directing the respondents to maintain the status quo ante.

He argued that the order was necessary to prevent a fait accompli as recognised in previous cases.

El-Rufai, therefore, prayed for a declaration that his severance pay, received upon the completion of his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, cannot reasonably be suspected to be, proceeds of any unlawful activity.

He sought a declaration that the properties purchased by him from his said severance pay were lawfully acquired and owned by him.

He listed the banks to include Zenith Bank Plc, Naira Account Number: 1007158671; Zenith Bank Pic, Domiciliary Account Number: 507 1511327; Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc (GTB), Account Number: 0023824978; Access Bank, Dollar Account Number: 1396386493 and Access Bank, Naira Account Number: 1396382103.

He also sought a declaration that any attempt by the respondents to apply for, obtain or execute any interim or final forfeiture order, freezing order, without first establishing a reasonable suspicion supported by credible evidence as required by relevant law would amount to a breach of his rights.

He cited the law as Section 17(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and the Supreme Court decision in Melrose General Services Ltd v. EFCC (2024) SC/1519/2019.

El-Rufai prayed the court to declare that, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the protection of his fundamental rights.

He said that any action by the respondents that seeks to circumvent these rights by way of ex-parte applications that conceal material facts would amount to a breach of Section 36(5) of the constitution and a violation of the principles of fair hearing.

The ex-governor, therefore, sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from taking any step whatsoever to freeze, attach, seize, forfeit, or otherwise interfere with his said property and bank accounts.

He sought an order awarding the sum of N1 billion ‘as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally for:

‘The anticipated violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights;

‘The psychological trauma, distress, anxiety, and reputational harm caused by the threat of unlawful forfeiture proceedings.

‘The need to deter the respondents and other agencies from engaging in similar overreach, abuse of power, and disregard for constitutional safeguards.’

He equally sought an order awarding the sum of N100 million as costs of the action against the respondents, including legal fees and associated expenses.

The ICPC, in its preliminary objection filed by Abdul Mohammed, SAN, prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety for being incompetent and a gross abuse of court process.

The ICPC submitted that El-Rufai’s arrest, the search of his residence and the anticipated asset tracing and freezing all stemmed from a singular, continuous and ongoing criminal investigation by the commission.

It argued that rather than consolidating his grievances into a single, comprehensive action, the ex-govenor deliberately engaged in forum shopping and the fragmentation of his claims by instituting three parallel suits across two different court hierarchies within a span of just 12 days.

It said that besides the instant suit, the applicant filed suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 on Feb. 20 at FHC, challenging the search warrant and the enforcement of fundamental human rights.

The commission said El-Rufai also filed suit number: FCT/HC/CV/950/2026 on March 3 at the FCT High Court, challenging the remand order and the enforcement of fundamental human rights.

It argued that the deliberate proliferation of overlapping suits seeking identical monetary and injunctive reliefs against the same primary law enforcement agency constituted ‘a textbook definition of abuse of court process.

It also argued that the suit was designed to irritate the commission, overreach the judicial system and create the perilous risk of conflicting judgments from coordinate courts.’

The DSS, in its preliminary objection filed by Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, urged the court to strike out the suit for being incompetent.

It also prayed the court to strike out its name from the suit for failure to disclose any reasonable cause of action against the service, among others.

The AGF, also in his counter affidavit argued in court by Mrs Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, submitted that the 4th respondent is only a necessary party in suits that directly involved the Federal Government of Nigeria.

She argued that the depositions in El-Rufai’s affidavit were speculative.

The lawyer argued that an interim forfeiture is not a final forfeiture order and it was only necessary to enable the ICPC carry out its investigations.

She submitted that an application for an interim forfeiture order did not in anyway breach El-Rufai’s rights.

The director also argued that the ICPC, EFCC and DSS are empowered to make an application for forfeiture to a court of competent jurisdiction, in the course of their investigations.

The lawyer, who urged the court to dismiss the suit, said the ex-govenor had similar cases in FCT High Court and FHC, where he sued the 1st, 2nd and 4th respondents.

Vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement, Lawal Daura, has warned anyone planning to manipulate the 2027 general elections to abandon the idea, saying such attempts would be resisted.

Daura, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, spoke on Tuesday at the inauguration of the National Campaign Management Committee of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation.

He said political parties should focus on convincing Nigerians through their programmes and candidates rather than seeking shortcuts to victory.

‘Well, this time around, the struggle is for real. We are not going to let them escape with it,’ Daura said.

‘We must make sure that everything is done in accordance with the law and the Electoral Act. And for those who really want to rig, that they can pull a fast one, well, they have a surprise coming.’

Daura also highlighted the size of Nigeria’s voting population, saying the number of registered voters had surpassed 100 million.

He said the APM was working to secure the support of a significant proportion of the electorate.

‘For us that are in the political arena, it is something very, very important. What matters is that we are struggling to ensure we are courting the majority of these voters,’ he said.

‘And, of course, without anybody reminding us, we know it’s a herculean task. We are aiming to get nothing less than two-thirds of the 103 million.’

Daura said the party’s objective was to ‘reset’ Nigeria, adding that achieving the goal would require people with quality, focus and determination.

Also speaking at the event, Director-General of the Campaign Council, Felix Hayat, urged young Nigerians to look beyond religion, ethnicity and regional considerations when making political choices.

‘You have to think, and think, you have a future. You are the one to protect it. Nobody is going to protect it for you,’ Hayat said.

APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, urged members of the campaign organisation to work closely with the party’s structures ahead of the election.

He said the objective was to deliver the Makinde-Daura ticket and form the government in 2027.

Dantalle also warned that disagreements could arise within the campaign organisation, stressing that its ability to manage internal differences would determine its strength.

He told members of the newly inaugurated committee to regard their appointments as the beginning of the assignment rather than an achievement.

The Federal Government has announced a 30 day discount on petrol sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited).

The discount will mainly benefit public transport operators across the country.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced the measure on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during a press briefing in Abuja.

Oyedele said the arrangement was not a return to fuel subsidy. He explained that the government would allow NNPC Limited to sell petrol at cost for the next 30 days as part of efforts to reduce sudden increases in fuel prices.

‘Government is just saying we sell to you at cost,’ the minister said.

The government also plans to introduce forward sales of crude oil to domestic refineries.

According to Oyedele, this will help protect local petrol prices from sudden changes in global crude oil prices.

He explained that the government could agree to sell crude oil to refiners at a fixed price for several months. This would give refiners more certainty about their costs and help keep petrol prices more stable for consumers.

Oyedele said the government was also working on a price ceiling of N1,350 per litre for the ex gantry or landing cost of petrol.

He stressed that the measure was neither a subsidy nor price control.

The minister said petrol prices should not increase every time there is a change in global crude oil prices or the exchange rate.

Under the proposed arrangement, if the cost of petrol rises above N1,350 per litre, refiners and importers would temporarily absorb the difference and recover it later when market conditions improve.

Oyedele said the aim was to reduce sharp movements in petrol prices.

He explained that keeping prices relatively stable would be better for consumers because increases in transport fares and other costs usually happen quickly when fuel prices rise, but do not fall at the same speed when fuel becomes cheaper.

The government plans to review the N1,350 price ceiling every month. Relevant data and figures will also be published to promote transparency.

The measures come amid recent increases in petrol prices across the country.

In Lagos, many filling stations were recently selling petrol between N1,400 and N1,430 per litre, while some MRS stations sold at about N1,395 per litre.

In Abuja, petrol prices were reported to range between N1,400 and N1,450 per litre.

The government said the latest measures are aimed at reducing the impact of changes in crude oil prices and exchange rates on petrol prices, transport costs, businesses and consumers.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to temporarily close the runway of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri from Oct 20, for essential repairs and resurfacing.

This is contained in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire, on Thursday evening in Lagos.

According to Agbebire, the closure was tentatively scheduled to last about 25 days, subject to final confirmation.

He said the planned intervention became necessary following the deterioration of sections of the runway, including potholes and extensive surface cracks worsened by recent heavy rainfall.

Agbebire said the rehabilitation would involve pavement repairs, crack treatment and resurfacing of affected sections to restore the runway to a safer operational condition.

He said the works were also intended to prepare the airport for increased passenger and flight traffic expected during the Christmas travel season.

He added that the project would include an extension of the runway to enable the airport accommodate wide-body aircraft as traffic to the region grows.

‘FAAN appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all airport users as we undertake these essential works in our continued commitment to safe, efficient and reliable airport operations,’ he said.

FAAN said the expansion was aimed at improving airport capacity, passenger comfort and the overall travel experience.

It advised passengers planning to travel through Owerri during the proposed closure period to maintain contact with their airlines for updates on flight schedules and possible alternative arrangements.

The authority said it would continue to engage relevant stakeholders and announce the confirmed closure and reopening dates once finalised.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has warned that a child cannot consent to sexual intercourse, urging the public to understand and respect the basic principles of consent.

The agency gave the warning in a post shared on its X handle, @Lagosdsva, on Thursday, while educating residents on the FRIES principles: Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic and Specific.

It stated that consent must be freely given without pressure, threats, manipulation or coercion, adding that it could be withdrawn at any time, even after sexual activity had begun.

According to the DSVA, consent must also be informed and based on an understanding of what a person is agreeing to, noting that it cannot be obtained through deception.

The agency said consent should be an enthusiastic and willing choice, rather than something given out of fear, pressure or a desire to end an uncomfortable situation.

It added that consent was specific, stressing that agreement to one sexual activity did not automatically mean agreement to another.

The DSVA stressed that a child cannot consent to sexual intercourse, citing the Nigerian Child Rights Act of 2003 and the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law of 2007, which define a child as a person below 18 years.

It said the laws prohibited sexual intercourse with a child, adding that it was immaterial that an offender claimed to have believed that the child was above 18 or that the child had consented.

According to the agency, the offence attracts life imprisonment upon conviction.

The DSVA further stressed that consent is not silence, fear, pressure or the absence of resistance, and is not a one-time permission.

It urged residents to remember the FRIES principles and promote a culture that respects boundaries and protects children from sexual abuse.

Police operatives have arrested a 45-year-old man, identified as Adeniyi Benjamin, for allegedly operating an unlicensed medical facility and administering treatments for about seven years without any medical qualification or licence.

The spokesperson for Oyo Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement on Wednesday said Benjamin was arrested on 2 October 2026 at about 3:00 p.m. by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit at his clinic, ‘Life Is Good Hospital’ in the Olodo area of Ibadan.

Ayanlade said the arrest followed credible intelligence about his activities at the facility.

‘The suspect was found attending to patients and administering treatments, particularly fertility-related treatments, despite not being a certified medical doctor,’ the statement said.

The Police spokesperson listed items recovered from the premises of the suspect’s facility to include two weighing scales, four Quantum Magnetic Resonance Body Analysers, one stethoscope, a large carton of assorted medicines, and specimen bottles.

The Oyo police spokesperson added that during preliminary investigation, Benjamin confessed that he had been operating as a quack practitioner for about seven years without any licence to practise medicine.

He further stated that he specialized in fertility-related treatment, which he administered to patients at the facility.

DSP Olayinka said the confession raised concerns about potential risks to members of the public who may unknowingly seek treatment from unqualified persons, especially in sensitive areas such as fertility care.

Investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and determine whether other persons were connected to the operation of the facility. Appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law, the police said.

The command advised residents to verify the professional credentials and registration status of anyone offering medical services before entrusting their health or that of their loved ones to them.

Oyo Police Command also appealed to residents to promptly report suspicious medical facilities or persons presenting themselves as medical practitioners without verifiable credentials to the police or relevant regulatory authorities.

The Command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and said it would continue to collaborate with relevant regulatory agencies and members of the public to address activities that endanger residents’ health and safety.

The mother of a prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member abducted on the Owerri-Onitsha expressway has said her family paid N6 million to secure his release, while police attributed the victims’ freedom to a joint security operation.

The woman, whose name was not disclosed, told News Central Television on Wednesday that the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim before accepting N6 million for her son.

Her account came as the Nigeria Police Force announced that security operatives had rescued 20 abducted NYSC members in Imo State.

Speaking in Yoruba, the mother described how the family pleaded with the abductors to reduce their demand.

‘Initially, they asked us to pay N50 million per head. We asked whether the amount was for all of them, but they insisted that no, it was for each person. Later, we started begging them to take N500,000. But they said no and started scaring us,’ she said.

‘Three days ago, they called and said we should pay N15 million. We kept begging them that all we had was N5.5 million. They said no and insisted on N6 million. So, it’s that N6 million we paid.’

She said the abductors contacted the victims’ parents and directed them to send representatives to a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to her, her husband and the victim’s elder brother went to the meeting.

‘When they got to the meeting place, they asked them to send the money to an account and that when they got to Imo state, they should change the money into dollars,’ she said.

The woman said her elder son was among those who took the ransom to the kidnappers and later called to confirm his brother’s release.

‘It was the brother who called us this evening to say that they had handed the ransom to the kidnappers and that they had released our son. We also spoke to the boy,’ she said.

She said her son’s captivity left her unable to sleep and caused her considerable distress.

‘Since he was kidnapped, I have been stooling. I couldn’t sleep either. But I was relieved when I heard they had been released. It was as though the chains all over me were loosened,’ she said.

The victims were abducted on October 1 when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses carrying passengers from Ibadan along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway.

A video circulated on X showed that the passengers were travelling to Akwa Ibom and Abia states in buses bearing the Abia State Government logo when the attackers intercepted the vehicles, robbed them and forced them into the forest.

Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed that the attack occurred at about 6.30 a.m. He said 10 victims were rescued immediately, while security operatives began intelligence-led search-and-rescue operations for the others.

On Saturday, the kidnappers reportedly gave parents 24 hours to pay N1 billion for their children’s release. The demand was subsequently reported to have been reduced to N5 million per victim, totalling N100 million.

Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to coordinate the rescue efforts.

Force spokesperson, Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in Imo with two commissioners of police, assessed the operation and issued directives to strengthen the deployment of personnel and operational assets.

Announcing the victims’ release on Wednesday, Iniedu said a joint team comprising operatives of the Department of State Services, the military and police carried out the rescue.

‘The victims were rescued on 7th October 2026 at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained search-and-rescue operations. They have since been taken for medical assessment and necessary care,’ the police statement said.