Category: The Nation – Nigeria

In April this year, Sentry wrote on the dilemma of a former governor of a Southwest state whose body was in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while his mind is with his friends in one of the opposition parties. While he is yet to declare a change in his membership of APC, authoritative sources in opposition political parties are laying claim to him being their associate.

Before the advent of the Tinubu administration in 2023, he was a known member of APC and had been part of the evolution of the party from Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress (AC) and to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before it finally berthed as APC after joining forces with a few other parties to form a coalition that ended the 16-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On the basis of this political association, he had functioned as the governor of a Southwest state and also served as a minister. In all those years, his loyalty to the ruling party was not in doubt. But that no longer seems to be the case since he exited office as minister even though he seems to have difficulty declaring his exit or openly embracing another party.

But while he continues to hide behind one finger with regard to where his soul belongs, his friends and associates in the opposition parties are not helping matters. First, a former governor and top member of one of the newly formed opposition parties declared that he and the former Southwest counterpart were the brains behind the coalition of political forces to form the new party in question.

While political observers were chewing on this revelation, a chieftain of another newly formed party has come out with a claim that the former Southwest governor is the coordinator of a seven-man group drawn across opposition parties with the sole motive of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

His spokesmen have denied the claims of the ex-governor straddling two sides. They swear he remains committed to So who do we believe? Much as the former Southwest governor wants to keep his alleged new association a secret, his newfound political associates appear unwilling to play his hide-and-seek game with him. Time will tell if he’s a victim of name dropping or truly has been playing both sides.

The Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a winning note after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

Nigeria fell behind in the 16th minute when Ehsan Kari headed Madagascar into the lead.

The goal initially appeared to have been scored from an offside position, but the referee allowed it to stand.

The Super Eagles responded as they searched for an equaliser, with Alex Iwobi having the ball in the net in the 34th minute.

However, Nigeria’s effort was ruled out after Akor Adams was adjudged to have impeded the Madagascar goalkeeper.

Nigeria eventually got their reward in first-half stoppage time when George Ilenikhena scored on his Super Eagles debut.

The forward finished well after receiving an assist from Iwobi to make it 1-1 before the break.

Ilenikhena’s goal capped an eventful debut after Éric Chelle handed him his first senior appearance for Nigeria.

Nigeria continued to push after the interval and completed the comeback in the 65th minute through another debutant.

Moses Usor put the Super Eagles ahead with his first Nigeria goal after receiving an assist from Semi Ajayi, giving Chelle’s side a 2-1 advantage.

The result gives Nigeria three points from their opening Group L fixture as they begin their pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to their second Group L fixture against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

The Government Secondary School Otukpo Old Boys Association (OGSSOBA) has declared its support for its alumnus, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

The association, which said it has more than 10,000 members across the former Benue-Plateau and Gongola states, said it was supporting Akume’s political direction and backing Tinubu to enable the President to continue and complete ongoing development projects and economic reforms.

Speaking in Abuja, the National Convener of the support group, Okpe Oko, JP, described Akume, who graduated from the institution in 1971, as a political leader whose direction the alumni body had resolved to follow.

Oko said the association regarded Akume as a father and mentor and had therefore decided to support his political position ahead of the 2027 election.

He said the decision to back Tinubu also stemmed from the group’s belief that the President should be given the opportunity to continue his administration’s programmes.

The association said it would mobilise support through its members and branches ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

‘He is our father. Wherever he goes, we go; whatever he says, we follow him,’ Oko stated. ‘That is why we have decided to queue behind him to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term presidential bid, to continue with the work he started and bring it to completion.’

Defending the administration’s policy direction, Oko described President Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy as a bold leadership step necessary to prevent hyperinflation and long-term economic collapse.

‘Now, we have a bold leader who decided to swallow the bitter pills and took the bullets on behalf of the entire nation,’ he added.

Corroborating his views, the group’s National Coordinator, Chief Ali Igboyi, acknowledged the current socio-economic challenges but emphasised that subsidy removal was crucial to dismantling cartels that had long exploited the country.

Chief Igboyi highlighted key federal interventions driving economic recovery in the North-Central region, citing major road networks such as the Buruku-Logo Bridge, the Makurdi-Gboko Road, and the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway, alongside the newly commissioned $250 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State.

According to Igboyi, these infrastructure, security, and industrial investments are laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth, job creation, and prosperity across the region and Nigeria at large.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Ambassador Bello Dogon-daji Haliru, has officially presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, at the King’s Palace in Bangkok.

According to a statement issued by the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Bangkok, the ceremony took place on Monday evening. Her Majesty, Queen Suthida Bajrasudha Bimalalakshana, was also in attendance.

With the presentation of his credentials, Ambassador Haliru is now fully accredited as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand.

During the audience, the statement said ‘Ambassador Haliru conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to His Majesty. He also commended the King’s exemplary airmanship, referencing His Majesty’s recent flights to Bhutan and Vietnam-a compliment received with a gracious smile.His Majesty warmly welcomed the envoy and expressed optimism for the continued strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Thailand.’

Ambassador Haliru was among the 65 career and non-career ambassadors whose postings were approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this year following confirmation by the Senate.

Akpabio made the call in Uyo, the state capital, during activities marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State’s creation.

The Senate President, a former governor of the state, also commended Eno for what he described as his commitment to development, peace, and economic advancement in the state.

Akpabio said Akwa Ibom’s progress should remain above partisan considerations, stressing the need for continuity in the state’s development.

He said, ‘I therefore commend Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the journey of development through the ARISE Agenda and for his commitment to peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of our people.

‘The progress of Akwa Ibom must always rise above partisan considerations. Every generation of leaders has a duty to add another storey to the edifice handed down to it.’

Speaking on the 2027 elections, Akpabio called for the re-election of Tinubu and Eno, while expressing confidence in support for the President across the South-South region.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a friend of the South-South zone, and he will get maximum victory from the region and other parts of the country,’ the Senate President said.

Akpabio also urged the people of Akwa Ibom to continue supporting the state’s development, saying the 39th anniversary should be an opportunity to reflect on its progress and future.

He said the state had grown significantly since its creation in 1987, attributing its development to the resilience and contributions of its people.

‘Our greatest resource has always been our people,’ he said.

Akpabio also recalled his tenure as governor of the state, saying the infrastructure, institutions and human-capital investments made during his administration provided foundations for subsequent governments to build upon.

‘The years of Uncommon Transformation demonstrated what is possible when vision is matched by courage, when public resources are deployed for the public good, and when leadership refuses to accept yesterday’s limitations as the boundaries of tomorrow’s possibilities,’ he said.

He urged the people to look beyond the anniversary celebrations and work towards building a state with greater opportunities for young people, enterprise and innovation.

‘The task before us is not merely to celebrate how far we have travelled, but to imagine how much farther we can go,’ Akpabio said.

‘Akwa Ibom is rising. And together, we shall continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of our founding fathers.’

Akwa Ibom was created on September 23, 1987, by the military administration of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

As political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, children of several prominent Nigerian politicians are featuring among those seeking seats in the National Assembly.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027.

An infographic published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in September 2026, based on data from INEC, identified several children of former presidents, a former vice-president, former governors and a former Senate President among those contesting or linked to National Assembly races across the country.

Some of those identified are already serving in the National Assembly, while others are seeking to enter the legislature in 2027:

1. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – Kogi

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, a former member of the House of Representatives, is the incumbent senator representing Kogi Central.

She is seeking the Kogi Central senatorial seat in the 2027 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

2. Iyabo Obasanjo – Ogun

Iyabo Obasanjo is the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

She is seeking the Ogun Central senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

3. Yusuf M. Buhari – Katsina

Yusuf Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is linked to the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency race in Katsina State.

4. Bello M. El-Rufai – Kaduna

Bello El-Rufai is the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

He represents the Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is among those identified in the 2027 National Assembly contests.

5. Chinedum E. Orji – Abia

Chinedum Orji, son of former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, is seeking the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

6. Adamu A. Atiku – Adamawa

Adamu Atiku is the son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

He is among those linked to the 2027 National Assembly race in Adamawa State.

7. Blessing O. Onuh – Benue

Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, represents the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

She is seeking another term in the 2027 election.

8. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu – Delta

Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu is the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori.

She represents the Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is involved in the 2027 race.

9. Gabriella (Omosede) Igbinedion – Edo

Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion, daughter of businessman and politician Gabriel Igbinedion, is associated with the Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West Federal Constituency in Edo State.

She has emerged as a candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives race.

10. Olumide Osoba – Ogun

Olumide Osoba, son of former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, represents the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is among the children of prominent political figures featuring in the 2027 National Assembly contests.

11. Adegboyega Adefarati – Ondo

Adegboyega Adefarati, son of the late former Ondo State Governor Adebayo Adefarati, represents the Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is seeking another term in the 2027 election.

12. Olamiju Alao-Akala – Oyo

Olamiju Alao-Akala, son of the late former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, is linked to the Orire/Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South Federal Constituency race in Oyo State.

His participation adds another child of a former governor to the list of politicians featuring in the 2027 National Assembly contests.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will finally meet in the ring on December 11, with the long-awaited heavyweight clash set to take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

The bout brings together two of Britain’s biggest heavyweight stars after years of failed attempts to make the fight.

Joshua and Fury were initially scheduled to meet in 2021, when both held major heavyweight titles, but the proposed two-fight series collapsed after Fury was required to fulfil his contractual obligation to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout.

The British rivals subsequently went their separate ways, and both went on to face Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Fury twice and Joshua twice.

Six years after their original agreement, Joshua and Fury will now meet in Cardiff, expected to be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.

According to The Sun, the contest is expected to generate a £150m ($198m) prize pot, with neither fighter having an A-side advantage in the purse split.

Joshua and Fury are therefore expected to receive £75m ($99m) each.

The reported payday would represent a career-best purse for both fighters. SunSport reported that Joshua and Fury have previously earned about £65m ($85m) each for a single fight.

The December clash could have generated an even bigger payday had it been staged in the United States, with Madison Square Garden in New York reportedly considered as a possible venue.

Joshua, however, insisted that the fight had to take place in Britain.

‘British boxing gave me everything; it changed my life,’ Joshua told SunSport.

‘I was going down the wrong path until I found Sean Murphy and Johnny Oliver at Finchley ABC.

‘And then Team GB in Sheffield – and all the amazing coaches that worked every day for the love of the sport.

‘Not the money – because there was no money.

‘It was the UK or nothing.’

The fight could also mark the final appearance of either boxer, with both now in the latter stages of their professional careers.

The contest will be staged without a rematch clause, meaning there is no contractual provision for an immediate second fight between the two heavyweights.

Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has urged Christians to participate in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO), saying religious considerations should not deter them from investing.

Speaking at a media parley in Kaduna, Hayab said Christians should view the public offer as a business and investment opportunity, rather than through a religious lens.

‘Business has no religion. What Dangote is selling is not Islam; Dangote is selling shares. Shares bring money,’ he said.

He was responding to concerns that some northern Christians were hesitant to participate in the offer because of the promoter’s religious identity and uncertainty about investment opportunities.

Hayab said responsible Christian leaders should encourage their members to invest, arguing that owning shares could help families and future generations build wealth.

‘If I have my way, just as they are advertising, every Christian should have 10 shares,’ he said.

He gave an example of how collective participation could increase ownership, saying that if one million Christians bought 10,000 shares each, they would collectively own one billion shares.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery public offer comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ?525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares, valued at ?5,250. The offer opened on September 14 and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026.

Hayab said investment should not be viewed only as a means of making immediate returns, but also as a way of securing the future of children and families.

‘Buy it for your son. Buy it for your grandchildren. Buy it for the future of their education,’ he said.

He also called on Christians to develop a stronger culture of investment, arguing that excessive dependence on salaries limits the ability of individuals and institutions to build sustainable wealth.

According to him, greater investment by church members could also strengthen churches’ financial capacity.

‘The reason why our offering is poor in many of our churches is that we are not investing,’ Hayab said, adding that many church members rely mainly on salaries.

He said Nigerians should seek to have a stake in businesses operating in the country, arguing that broader domestic ownership would contribute to economic development.

‘The economy of Nigeria will grow faster if all Nigerians have a stake in the investment that is in Nigeria,’ he said.

Hayab further said his position was not limited to Dangote, stressing that Christians should be open to other legitimate investment opportunities.

He disclosed that, as chairman of the Northern Christian Association, he had directed people to raise awareness about the Dangote offer in their churches.

‘We started that last Sunday, and we’ll do that this Sunday, and we’ll continue to do so until the 13th when it is over,’ he said.

He also appealed for consideration of an extension of the offer period, saying publicity about the IPO was only beginning to gain wider attention.

Hayab said the Dangote business should be viewed separately from politics, noting that political administrations could change while businesses could continue operating.

‘Today we have Tinubu as president, tomorrow we’ll have another person as president, but we will be having Dangote business all through,’ he said.

The NCA leader also appealed to northern Christians to participate in businesses owned by entrepreneurs from the region, noting that Dangote is from the North.

His comments come amid broader public discussions about participation in the Dangote Refinery IPO. The official IPO information states that investing in shares carries risk, that share values can rise or fall, and that dividends are not guaranteed.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Ambassador Bello Dogon-daji Haliru, has officially presented his Letters of Credence to His Majesty, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, at the King’s Palace in Bangkok.

According to a statement issued by the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Bangkok, the ceremony took place on Monday evening. Her Majesty, Queen Suthida Bajrasudha Bimalalakshana, was also in attendance.

With the presentation of his credentials, Ambassador Haliru is now fully accredited as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand.

During the audience, the statement said ‘Ambassador Haliru conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to His Majesty. He also commended the King’s exemplary airmanship, referencing His Majesty’s recent flights to Bhutan and Vietnam-a compliment received with a gracious smile.His Majesty warmly welcomed the envoy and expressed optimism for the continued strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Thailand.’

Ambassador Haliru was among the 65 career and non-career ambassadors whose postings were approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this year following confirmation by the Senate.

The people of Osun State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to complete the abandoned bridge over the Eko-Ende/Ilie River and reconstruct the Ikirun-Ogbomoso road to boost the economy of Osun, Oyo and Kwara states.

The Elende of Eko-Ende, Oba Abdulwaheed Babatunde Adekunle, appealed while inspecting an abandoned bridge over the Eko-Ende/Ilie River.

The monarch pleaded with the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Osun Central Senatorial District, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN), popularly known as K-RAD, to make the demands of the people of the areas known to President Bola Tinubu.

Adegoke, who was on a consultation visit to Eko-Ende along with the APC candidate for Ifelodun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr Mulikat Jimoh, pledged to take the infrastructure challenges facing communities along the Ikirun-Ogbomoso corridor to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The affected communities include Eko-Ende, Ore, Ilie, Iregba and Iresa, among others, with residents relying heavily on the road corridor for the movement of people, farm produce and goods.

The bridge, initiated during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and awarded to MM and IF Construction Company, was intended to improve connectivity between communities in Osun and Oyo states.

Its abandonment has, however, left the route in poor condition and created difficulties for communities and businesses that depend on the corridor.

Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Oba Adekunle appealed to K-RAD to use his access to the Federal Government to seek the completion of the bridge and the reconstruction and expansion of the road.

‘The bridge and road are critical to our economic survival, and giving them the required attention will have a significant impact on our livelihoods,’ the monarch said.

The monarch also expressed support for President Tinubu and said the communities would continue to mobilise support for the President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Responding, K-RAD promised to take the concerns directly to the Presidency. ‘We will do the needful as soon as possible,’ he assured the communities.

K-RAD also commended the Tinubu administration for infrastructure projects across Osun State, expressing confidence that the President would recognise the importance of the road and bridge to the communities and wider regional economy.

The Ikirun-Ogbomoso corridor connects several agricultural communities across Osun and Oyo states and serves as an important route for the movement of people and agricultural produce.

For the affected communities, the demand is straightforward: the abandoned bridge should be completed and the road restored to a condition that can support economic activity across the area.