Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Ahead of Saturday governorship election, a political group has embarked on door-to-door campaign in Ayedire Local Government of Osun State to mobilise support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).

The group under the aegis of Peculiar Peoples Progress, also distributed cash and food to over 200 households in the council.

The convener of the group, Mrs. Ige Adeyanju, said exercise is to ensure victory for AMBO, hence they embarked on door-to-door campaign and also shared food with cash to members of APC at the grassroot.

She said, ‘The gesture is a usual way reaching out to the people but for this phase, beneficiaries are members of the APC who will mobilise support for AMBO.’

Adeyanju said the event afforded the group to remind people of the need to participate in the Saturday governorship election.

‘it is just to appreciate our people for their loyalty, because despite the waves here and there, they remain steadfast and they are giving us their full support. So, just to appreciate them and let them know that we see them, and to appreciate them.

‘We did it for 200 women to empower them. And you know women hold the house. They are the builder of the nation, and we have belief on this on our AMBO, because he is a man of the woman. He promised women many things in Osun State.’

Adeyanju expressed optimism that the entire local government will be delivered to Oyebamiji because the women will influence their husband, children and dependants.

She promised that the administration of Oyebamiji will prioritise the wellbeing of women if elected.

‘Our leaders in this town gave us the assurance that there will be no hidden agenda on this. The administration that is coming will be an open one.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Olugbenga Alaja, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot for Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Commission of the Commission, Mohammed Haruna, said in a statement that the inclusion of Ajala on the ballot followed a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The statement, issued a few days before the election, said, ‘The action has been taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22nd July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, between Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala on the one hand and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the other.

‘The Court ordered the Commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party.

‘Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to be held on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to fifteen (15) the total number of political parties contesting the election. The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.

‘The Commission wishes to inform the public that the reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13th August 2026, and will, on the same day, be moved to Local Government Area offices across the State, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.

‘INEC assures political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State.’

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has declared that the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, was the strongest performer at the recent candidates’ town hall meeting organised by Arise TV.

Ajayi said Oyebamiji distinguished himself through his understanding of public finance, policy formulation and the practical challenges facing the state, arguing that the APC candidate approached the debate from the standpoint of governance rather than political rhetoric.

The presidential aide made the assessment in a series of posts on his X handle on Wednesday, three days before the August 15 governorship election.

Oyebamiji is contesting against the incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam.

According to Ajayi, the town hall provided an opportunity for voters to assess the candidates beyond their political affiliations and campaign activities.

He said, ‘On the evidence of what I saw at the town hall, Oyebamiji made the stronger case that he understands that job.’

Explaining his position, Ajayi said the APC candidate’s experience as a former Commissioner for Finance and banker was evident in how he addressed questions about the state’s economy and the management of public resources.

He said, ‘If the exercise is judged strictly on policy articulation, command of facts, fiscal realism and evidence of managerial competence, I will candidly say Oyebamiji came out ahead.’

Ajayi also highlighted Oyebamiji’s account of his previous government roles, including his tenure as Commissioner for Finance under former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.

The presidential aide said the candidate presented himself as having direct experience managing public finances rather than merely making promises about what he would do in office.

He added that Oyebamiji’s references to his work with Osun State Investment Holdings, including claims of turning around the organisation and developing assets in Lagos and Abuja, further reinforced his argument for managerial competence.

Ajayi argued that financial sustainability should be a major consideration for voters given Osun’s history of fiscal constraints.

‘Promising everything without convincingly explaining the financing is not social policy, but fiscal romanticism,’ he said, adding that Oyebamiji ‘played to his professional strength.’

While praising Oyebamiji’s performance, Ajayi criticised Adeleke’s approach to the town hall, saying the governor spent considerable time attacking former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Gboyega Oyetola.

He argued that Adeleke, as an incumbent seeking re-election, should have concentrated more on his administration’s achievements and presented a stronger case for another term.

‘Political attacks may excite loyalists, but they are no substitute for a convincing account of stewardship,’ Ajayi said.

He also questioned the financial feasibility of some of Salam’s campaign promises, particularly those involving free services and expanded government intervention.

According to him, such promises may appeal to voters, but they must be backed by credible plans for funding and implementation.

Ajayi maintained that the election should ultimately be decided by candidates’ records, policy proposals and capacity to manage the state’s resources.

He said, ‘A governorship election should be an audit of competing records, plans and managerial capacity, not a popularity contest between personalities.’

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for stronger national and international cooperation to tackle emerging security threats confronting Nigeria and other parts of the world.

He said Nigeria was facing ‘multifaceted’ security challenges requiring coordinated and sustainable responses from governments, international organisations, faith leaders and other stakeholders.

The President spoke in Abuja yesterday at the international conference on security organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bidiah wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS Nigeria) in partnership with the Muslim World League of Saudi Arabia.

The conference, which had the theme: ‘Diversity and social peace: partnership for a promising future,’ brought together Muslim and Christian leaders, scholars and representatives from Saudi Arabia and other African countries.

Represented by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Tinubu said his administration remained committed to working with other countries and international organisations to build a stable and secure Nigeria while contributing to global security.

‘Working within the Committee of Nations, [the government is] collaborating every day to ensure that security remains not only in our country but in the entire globe,’ he said.

He said the conference was significant given the evolving security situation and the need for authorities, faith leaders and other stakeholders to examine emerging threats to national and digital security.

Tinubu said the deliberations should produce practical recommendations to complement the government’s efforts to address insecurity.

He urged Nigerians to preserve national unity despite their differences.

The President commended the Muslim World League for choosing Nigeria as the venue and assured participants of the Federal Government’s support for initiatives promoting peace and security.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, urged religious leaders to make churches and mosques centres of peace.

To him, religion should promote human dignity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence rather than hatred and division.

Yilwatda urged clerics to use their influence to foster peaceful relations among Nigerians of different faiths and cautioned against using religious convictions to incite violence.

‘Let us preach faith without hatred, conviction without contempt, and truth without incitement,’ he said.

The APC chairman said genuine faith must compel believers to protect the lives, dignity and freedom of people of other religions.

He recalled his childhood in Yola, Adamawa State, where his father, a pastor, maintained a close friendship with a Muslim leader.

He said the relationship between the two families taught him that religious differences should not prevent peaceful coexistence.

However, Yilwatda said his family later lost its home and possessions during communal violence in Bauchi, an experience that showed him the devastating consequences of violence committed in the name of religion or ethnicity.

‘We may worship differently, but we suffer together. We dream together. We can build together, and ultimately, we can rise and fall together,’ he said.

He also cautioned political leaders against exploiting religion and ethnicity for political advantage, urging traditional rulers to promote dialogue and reduce suspicion among communities.

Yilwatda urged Nigerians to be cautious about sharing claims capable of deepening religious and ethnic divisions, particularly information that could inflame tensions.

He called for a society where children inherit schools, homes and opportunities rather than displacement camps and memories of violence.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has opened a new testing window for companies developing digital financial products, including virtual asset services, stablecoins, digital wallets and data-driven financial solutions.

The initiative is the second phase of the apex bank’s Regulatory Sandbox Programme, which allows financial technology companies to test new ideas with real customers under controlled conditions before such products are introduced more widely.

A statement from the CBN’s Acting Director Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Department Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali said applications for the new exercise will open on August 12 and close on August 31, 2026.

Unlike the first cohort, the latest programme has been divided into two separate areas to deal with different types of financial technology. One is specifically for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), while the other is for companies developing financial services that depend on the secure use of customer data.

The move is coming at a time when technology is rapidly changing the financial sector, with Nigerians increasingly using digital platforms for payments, savings, lending and other financial transactions.

Through the VASP window, companies working on virtual assets and related services will have an opportunity to test products involving digital currencies, stablecoins, payment and settlement systems, custody arrangements and digital wallets.

The second window is targeted at businesses that are not VASPs but are using technology and authorised access to financial data to develop new ways of providing credit, payments, risk management and other financial services.

The CBN said the purpose of the sandbox is not to give companies automatic approval to operate as financial institutions. Rather, it provides a supervised environment where the regulator can observe how new products work, identify possible risks and determine what regulatory requirements may be necessary.

The programme also gives technology companies an opportunity to engage directly with regulators before taking their products to the wider market.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director of the CBN’s Payments System Policy Department, Musa Jimoh, said technological changes were creating new ways for individuals and businesses to use financial services.

He said the sandbox, developed with technology partner EMTECH, would enable the regulator to work with innovators while ensuring that customers and the financial system are protected. ‘Financial innovation is continuing to transform the way individuals and businesses access and use financial services,’ Jimoh said.

He said the decision to create separate channels for virtual assets and data-based financial services was intended to ensure that regulation kept pace with changes in the financial industry.

For companies seeking admission, the CBN said it would consider several issues before allowing their products to be tested. These include how different the proposed solution is from existing products, whether it is ready for real-world testing, the possible benefits to customers and the market, the strength of the company’s management structure and its ability to identify and control risks.

Applicants will also have to present a clear plan showing how they intend to conduct their tests.

Companies admitted into the programme will operate within limits agreed with the CBN. Their activities will be monitored, with requirements covering customer protection, cybersecurity, business continuity and the submission of information to the regulator.

The apex bank, however, warned companies and investors not to interpret participation in the programme as a banking, payment or other financial services licence.

A company admitted into the sandbox will only be permitted to conduct activities covered by its approved testing arrangement. It cannot use its participation as permission to operate outside those limits.

The CBN said lessons from the exercise would be useful in helping it understand new technologies and decide how emerging financial services should be supervised in Nigeria.

For consumers, the programme could provide an additional layer of protection as new digital financial products are tested under regulatory observation rather than being introduced into the market without prior assessment.

The CBN said it was seeking to create an environment where new financial ideas could develop while risks to customers and the economy were properly managed.

Eligible organisations interested in participating have been advised to submit their applications through the CBN Regulatory Sandbox Portal at https://sandbox.cbn.gov.ng before the August 31 deadline.

The initiative is expected to give technology companies a clearer route for developing new financial products while giving the regulator practical experience needed to keep Nigeria’s financial rules in step with developments in digital finance.

A factional national chairman of Accord, Prof Chris Imumolen, has urged the people of Osun State not to waste their votes on Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying the governor will not win the upcoming state governorship election.

In a statement in Abuja, signed by Israel Jagunmolu, a Chieftain of the party, the factional chairman said Governor Adeleke’s political future was heading towards defeat, either at the polls or through the ongoing legal battle over the leadership of the Accord Party.

Prof. Imumolen has expressed confidence that the governor will lose the Osun election, stressing that he does not believe Adeleke has what it takes to prevail at the polls.

He said that even if Adeleke succeeds at the polls, the ongoing Accord Party leadership case before the Federal High Court in Abuja will provide the legal pathway through which his political position can ultimately be defeated.

Imumolen said the case involving the Adeleke-aligned Accord faction is progressing well, expressing confidence that the court will soon deliver a favourable judgment, saying, ‘We are expecting victory in the judgment very soon’.

Prof. Imumolen maintains that Adeleke cannot escape the consequences of the Accord leadership battle simply by winning an election, adding that if Adeleke wins the election, the political consequences of the Accord leadership case could still prove decisive.

He said, ‘Adeleke will lose at the polls. And if, against all expectations, he wins, the Accord leadership case will ultimately defeat him in court.’

He expressed confidence that the judicial process will vindicate their position and establish the party’s legitimate leadership structure.

He said, ‘Adeleke’s challenge is not only the ballot box. The Accord leadership case remains a major legal battle, and Prof. Chris Imumolen is confident that victory in that case will have decisive political consequences for Adeleke.’

The chairman of the Council of Ulama of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, Jos Zone, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has distanced the Islamic organisation from his recent call for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027, saying it was his personal view, not the official position of JIBWIS.

Jingir made the clarification on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Kano, amid mounting criticism and tension over his earlier statement.

The cleric had earlier advocated that Nigerians support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term on the same Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.

His comment drew sharp reactions across the country, with Christian leaders, civil society groups and political commentators warning that such advocacy could deepen religious divisions ahead of the elections.

Critics argued that revisiting the Muslim-Muslim ticket, which generated heated debate in 2023, was insensitive in a multi-religious nation like Nigeria.

Addressing the fallout, Jingir said his remarks reflected his personal assessment of the political situation and should not be taken as a directive from JIBWIS.

‘My call for Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima was not a position adopted by the organisation. It was my personal opinion,’ he said.

The cleric urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights by carefully considering candidates and political parties before voting in 2027.

He also appealed to political and religious leaders to promote peace, tolerance, and unity, stressing the need for ‘responsible political engagement’ ahead of the polls.

Despite the clarification, Jingir’s initial statement continues to generate debate, with many Nigerians questioning the timing and motive behind the renewed push for a same-faith ticket.

Observers note that with 2027 still over a year away, early religious-based political advocacy risks reopening fault lines that shaped the 2023 election discourse.

JIBWIS, one of Nigeria’s largest Islamic organisations, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Ten policemen were killed on Monday when security operatives engaged a heavily armed group of suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis in Sakaba Local Government Area, Kebbi State.

The deadly encounter, according to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), also resulted in the deaths of 17 suspected bandits and the destruction of four motorcycles belonging to the attackers.

Two civilians were also killed during the confrontation, while two police personnel sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the confrontation occurred at about 9:25 am on Monday when police operatives intercepted the suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states.

The engagement reportedly resulted in heavy casualties among the criminal group, with 17 suspects neutralised.

However, the police also suffered a major setback, losing 10 personnel in the line of duty.

Reacting to the incident, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu expressed profound grief over the officers’ deaths and described their sacrifice as a painful loss to the Force and the nation.

Disu commiserated with the families and loved ones of the fallen personnel, assuring them that the officers would not be forgotten.

According to him, the deceased officers paid the ultimate price while defending Nigerians and protecting communities from armed criminal elements.

The IGP assured the bereaved families that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to support them and provide necessary assistance to the injured personnel.

The remains of the fallen officers have since been conveyed to Birnin Kebbi for further arrangements.

Following the encounter, the police said the affected area had been brought under control, with additional security personnel deployed to reinforce the operation.

The reinforcement, according to the Force, is aimed at sustaining the ongoing operation and pursuing fleeing members of the criminal group.

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The latest incident adds to the growing security challenges confronting communities along the northwestern axis, particularly areas bordering Zamfara and Kebbi states, which have witnessed persistent attacks by armed criminal groups.

The police said operations would continue until the fleeing suspects are brought to justice.

The Force also acknowledged the pain endured by the families of the deceased officers and promised to stand by them and provide the necessary support.

The NPF urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to assist ongoing efforts to track down fleeing criminal elements and prevent further attacks.

Key political figures and grassroots mobilisers in the North have declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be overwhelmingly rewarded with massive votes in next year’s general election by the region.

The political heavyweights and mobilisers, who dismissed the moves by opposition figures as an ‘exercise in futility,’ also pushed back against reports of the North’s discontent with the Tinubu administration.

They said during the inauguration and unveiling of their umbrella body, Renewed Hope Project 2027(RHP-2027) in Abuja yesterday that the region has directly benefited immensely from the core policy interventions of the current administration and remains firmly in Tinubu’s corner.

‘The North has a lot to thank this government for,’ said the group’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Maj.- Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril.

‘The poorest people in this country, with due respect, you can say maybe due to our large population, come from the Northern part of the country. Who are the direct beneficiaries of the student loan scheme? They are those who cannot afford to send their children to school,’ Jibril added.

He listed key interventions by the Tinubu government in infrastructure, security, technology transfer, and skills acquisition-such as the 3MTT digital skills initiative, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transition, and the National Apprenticeship and Technical Education Programme (NATEP) -as transformative policies heavily impacting communities in the North.

He insisted that the moves by Atiku Abubakar (African Democratic Congress), Peter Obi(Nigeria Democratic Congress), Donald Duke (People’s Redemption Party) and other political actors to forge a unified front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pose zero threat to President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He said: ‘All their efforts put together will end up in futility. We have seen them before; they have done nothing, and they are not going to do anything again. So, we are not perturbed at all. We don’t care about what they do.’

‘If anybody has done anything similar or above what we have done in this administration, let him come forward with it. It is not an issue of argument or just talk. It is a question of what people can see on the ground.’

Idris also rejected drawdowns, attempting to compare the current political alignment to 2015, when a united opposition ousted the then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan administration.

‘Of course, people have the right to talk about rhetoric, but talking about reality and what is on the ground, we can’t compare what happened in 2015 and now,’ he added.

Echoing these views, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who serves as the grand patron of the RHP-2027, restated that the campaign for 2027 would be anchored strictly on verifiable facts and governance records.

Akume, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (Technical), Prof. Babatunde Bernard, maintained that President Tinubu took on deep structural challenges that past administrations ignored.

He said: ‘The Renewed Hope movement will continue to present verifiable facts about the administration’s performance as it mobilises support for the 2027 elections.

”Meaningful national development often requires difficult decisions and sacrifices.’

Akume listed local government autonomy, security agency re-tooling and foreign direct investment growth as visible evidence of progress.

Adding to the group’s stance, the Director-General of RHP- 2027, Dauda Salihu, stated that the group was ready to take the administration’s achievement-based message directly to the grassroots to counter opposition narratives.

The event, themed ‘A New Beginning, A Shared Vision, With Greater Nigeria,’ brought together party leaders, lawmakers, representatives of serving governors, and grassroots coordinators from across the North.

Yilwatda: APC will campaign with facts

All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the Tinubu administration is translating the Renewed Hope Agenda into tangible projects in Plateau State.

Yilwatda stated this while on a visit to the monarch of Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit, in Pankshin.

He was in company with the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Ufser, and other senior federal and Plateau State government officials.

The APC chairman explained that the visit, which was approved by President Tinubu, was to ensure that Plateau people witnessed concrete evidence of democracy through strategic federal interventions.

Yilwatda said that over 500 kilometres of federal roads are currently under construction across the state. He cited the Maraban Jama’a – Kanke – Shendam – Ibi dual carriageway and other trunk roads as key projects aimed at opening up the Northcentral, stimulating trade, and creating jobs for the youth.

He commended the Ngas Nation and other Plateau residents to remain united and continue supporting the Tinubu administration to attract more development.

Water Resources Minister announced federal approval of a multi-purpose dam to be sited at Gele in Kanke Local Government Area.

Ufser said the dam will support irrigation, domestic water supply, fisheries, tourism, and generate sustainable employment.

He also announced that the abandoned Gindiri Dam in Mangu council has received approval for completion, with remaining work expected to be delivered within the next six months.

The project, he added, will boost agricultural productivity and expand access to potable water in the state.

Nde Jika Golit hailed President Tinubu for his commitment to Plateau through ongoing federal projects.

He described the visit as proof of the Federal Government’s recognition of Plateau and the Ngas Nation and praised Prof. Yilwatda for his representation.

The royal father offered prayers for peace, unity, and progress under the RHA.

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has donated 50 ballistic helmets, 50 bulletproof vests and 100 raincoats to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft to boost the morale and operational readiness of security agencies in the state.

Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, said the donation, made at Apapa, was part of a routine exercise to inspect security agencies, encourage commanders and identify areas requiring intervention. He said the Fund was established as an interventionist agency to fill operational gaps that security agencies may be unable to address on their own.

Speaking on preparations for the forthcoming general election, Ogunsan said the Fund was working to ensure a hitch-free exercise by equipping personnel with the resources needed to secure lives and property, and that the state government had directed it to expand resources and deploy assets ahead of the polls.

Ogunsan also spoke on efforts to curb vandalism on bridges, citing the recent discovery of damage on the Alakija/Festac Link Bridge, uncovered during a clean-up exercise targeting scavengers and homeless persons occupying the bridge. He said affected persons had been relocated, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited the site after the matter was escalated to him, and security operatives have since been permanently stationed there. Ogunsan added that warnings had been issued to those found responsible and that patrol vehicles and equipment had been deployed to strengthen surveillance.

Responding, Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said the donation would support the Navy’s constitutional role in Military Aid to Civil Authority and Military Aid to Civil Power operations. He thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu and the LSSTF, saying the equipment would help the Navy, under Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, secure Lagos waterways and land areas.