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The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to respond to an allegation by his campaign spokesperson, Alwan Hassan, that some ministers allegedly paid to secure their appointments.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Media and Publicity of ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the allegation, reportedly made during a live television programme, raised questions about the integrity of ministerial appointments.

Hassan was reported to have said that some ministers allegedly paid money to secure their positions and were now focused on recovering their investments.

The ADC-PCC said that, if substantiated, the allegation would raise concerns about the process through which public offices were filled.

‘The allegation, if established, would suggest that ministerial appointments were treated as private investments rather than positions of public trust. It would also raise concerns about whether decisions affecting millions of Nigerians are being influenced by personal financial interests,’ the council said.

It said that amid rising living costs and economic difficulties, Nigerians should not have to contend with uncertainty over the integrity of public offices.

The ADC-PCC called on Tinubu to clarify whether he was aware of the allegation, whether an investigation had been initiated and what steps his administration intended to take.

It also urged Hassan to publicly substantiate his reported claims by identifying those allegedly involved.

The council called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to examine any evidence of financial inducements linked to ministerial appointments.

It also urged the National Assembly to consider conducting a transparent public inquiry.

‘These demands are not a substitute for evidence or due process. Rather, they are necessary steps to establish facts, protect integrity of public institutions and ensure any wrongdoing is addressed in accordance with law,’ it stated.

The council said Nigerians deserved a government in which public appointments were made in the national interest.

‘As the country approaches the 2027 general election, the ADC-PCC calls on Nigerians to scrutinise records, policies and accountability of political leaders,’ the statement added.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its National Organising Secretary, Dr. Chukwuma Ogbonna, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the publication of Adewole Adebayo as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The trial judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to the parties in the matter after their counsel adopted their respective written addresses and presented arguments for and against the suit.

The plaintiffs are seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise and publish the name of Hon. Abimbola Akeem Atanda, the candidate they claim was validly nominated by the party and submitted to the electoral commission.

According to the plaintiffs, the SDP conducted its presidential primary election and national convention on May 20, 2026, in Abuja, under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, the party’s national chairman.

They maintained that INEC monitored the exercise and subsequently issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of its monitoring report.

The plaintiffs further claimed that the party duly submitted the name and personal particulars of the candidate who emerged as the winner of the presidential primary to the electoral body.

However, the plaintiffs alleged that INEC published Adebayo’s name as the party’s presidential candidate instead of that of the winner of the primary election monitored by the commission.

They argued that the publication was inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, and asked the court to intervene.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiffs are seeking an order directing INEC to stop recognising, accepting, or publishing the name of any person other than their validly nominated candidate as the SDP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

They also want the court to set aside the purported publication of Adebayo’s name and restrain INEC from placing his name on the ballot as the party’s presidential candidate on the grounds that, according to them, he was not properly nominated by the party.

The plaintiffs further urged the court to order the electoral commission to recognise and publish the name of the candidate who emerged as the winner of the presidential primary election monitored by INEC.

A Kano State High Court has remanded three defendants in a custodial facility over allegations of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and the murder of a four-year-old boy, Aliyu Haruna Haidar.

The defendants, Hajara Sani, Ayatullahi Armaya’u, and Jibrin Ado, all residents of Gobirawa village in Rano Local Government Area of Kano State, were arraigned on a three-count charge.

The charges, filed under Sections 97(1), 273, and 221(a) of the Penal Code, Laws of Kano State, relate to alleged criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and culpable homicide punishable by death.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

Following their arraignment, the court ordered their remand in a custodial facility and adjourned the case until December 4, 2026, for the commencement of hearing and the presentation of prosecution witnesses.

According to the charge sheet, marked K/184/2024, the alleged incident occurred at about 9 a.m. on April 9, 2024, in Gobirawa village, Rano Local Government Area.

The prosecution alleged that Hajara Sani conspired with the two other defendants to abduct the four-year-old boy and detain him in a house for two days while demanding a ransom of N2 million from his family.

The prosecution further alleged that negotiations subsequently reduced the ransom demand to N1 million.

However, according to the summary of evidence, the defendants allegedly strangled the child before the ransom payment was completed.

The prosecution’s account attributed the alleged killing partly to delays in the payment of the ransom and the fact that the child reportedly recognised one of his alleged captors.

The prosecution team is led by Lamido Abba Soron Dinki, alongside Iliyasu Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, counsel to the first defendant, Hajara Sani, Bashiru Ibrahim, has dismissed reports suggesting that his client worked as domestic staff in the victim’s household.

Speaking to NigerianSketch, Ibrahim, who appeared alongside Alhaji Ibrahim, Esq., said the claim was unsupported by the official charge sheet filed before the court.

He maintained that any suggestion that his client was employed as domestic staff in the victim’s family home was extraneous to the charges before the court.

The prosecution is expected to present witnesses and exhibits in support of its case when the hearing begins.

The allegations have yet to be proven in court.

Kwara State Government has launched its Policy on Gender in Education under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project to promote equal educational opportunities for all learners, irrespective of gender.

Speaking at the launch in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the policy reflected the government’s collective responsibility to create an educational environment where every child could enrol, participate, learn and reach their full potential.

Olohungbebe, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Banke Olanrewaju, disclosed that the state government had paid its N150 million counterpart funding to support the project.

He said the policy and its implementation guidelines would provide direction for addressing gender-related barriers to education and strengthening systems and practices needed to ensure inclusive, safe and supportive learning environments across the state.

The commissioner stressed that the success of the policy would depend not only on its official launch but also on the collective commitment of stakeholders to its effective implementation.

He urged relevant stakeholders to take ownership of the policy and work together to translate its provisions into practical actions and measurable results.

‘As we officially unveil this Document, let us renew our commitment to ensuring that gender does not become a barrier to access, participation, retention, or achievement in education,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Project Coordinator of Kwara AGILE and System Strengthening Sub-component Lead, Lawal Hamza Adisa, said the project was introduced to address challenges including unwanted pregnancies, early marriages and high school dropout rates among adolescent girls in the state.

He said the enrolment rate among girls aged between 10 and 20 had previously been low, while the fertility rate among adolescent girls was above 70 per cent.

Adisa, however, noted that enrolment had been increasing with the intervention of AGILE.

He said the state needed sustainable measures to maintain the gains recorded under the programme after its completion and prevent the challenges it was designed to address from recurring.

According to him, the state had domesticated the national policy on gender in education to establish a framework for sustaining the achievements of the AGILE project and ensuring that girls completed secondary education without leaving boys behind.

The Kwara AGILE Project Coordinator, Adeshina Salami, said the policy was designed to strengthen girls’ education and ensure that female students completed their schooling.

He added that the policy would apply to both public and private schools across the state.

Salami disclosed that about 32,000 adolescent girls in Kwara received N40,000 each as conditional cash transfers under the programme, while more than 1,400 beneficiaries had received digital skills training.

The launch was attended by representatives of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), the Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS), ANCOPSS, AOPSHON, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), students and other stakeholders.

Nigerian investors accounted for nearly nine out of every 10 naira traded on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in the first nine months of 2026, as foreign investors recorded net sales of ?281.26 billion, highlighting the equities market’s growing dependence on domestic liquidity.

Local investors traded ?13.52 trillion worth of equities between January and September, representing 89.74 per cent of total transactions of approximately ?15.06 trillion. Foreign investors accounted for ?1.55 trillion, or 10.26 per cent, according to the Exchange’s Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment Report.

The foreign share of transactions fell from 21.56 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025, while domestic participation rose from 78.44 per cent, reflecting a significant shift in the composition of trading on the Nigerian bourse.

Gbemisola Richard-Adelokiki, Head of Equities Research at Coronation Research, said foreign trading declined by about 16 per cent year-on-year, while domestic trading doubled. Total transactions during the nine-month period also surpassed the full-year figure for 2025.

The shift suggests that local investors have sustained market activity despite foreign portfolio managers taking profits and reducing their exposure to Nigerian equities.

Between March and July, foreign transactions fell from ?288.8 billion to ?132.6 billion monthly, while domestic trading increased from ?1.46 trillion to ?2.24 trillion. July, which recorded the weakest foreign participation, was also the busiest month for local investors.

Foreign investors sold more equities than they purchased in every month through September, reversing the net purchases of approximately ?219.94 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. Foreign purchases totalled ?632.35 billion, against sales of ?913.61 billion.

Richard-Adelokiki attributed the net selling to profit-taking following the market rally, exits from long-held positions and improved foreign exchange liquidity, which made repatriation easier. Uncertainty surrounding the transition to a one-day settlement cycle, known as T+1, also affected foreign participation.

Introduced on June 1, the settlement change raised concerns among some international investors about whether transactions would require pre-funding. The uncertainty coincided with FTSE Russell’s decision to pause Nigeria’s planned market reclassification.

The Securities and Exchange Commission subsequently clarified on August 12 that foreign investors were not required to pre-fund transactions. FTSE Russell later confirmed Nigeria’s return to its Frontier Market Index, effective September 21, after three years of exclusion.

Foreign purchases rose more than threefold in September compared with August, although investors remained net sellers, suggesting that the reclassification had yet to trigger a sustained return of international capital.

Meanwhile, pension funds have become increasingly important to domestic demand following changes to investment rules by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

In February, PenCom raised the maximum allocation to ordinary shares from 30 per cent to 35 per cent for Retirement Savings Account Fund I and from 25 per cent to 33 per cent for Fund II.

Pension fund holdings in Nigerian equities rose from ?3.96 trillion in December 2025 to ?6.32 trillion in August 2026, representing about one-fifth of total pension assets of ?31.80 trillion.

Kebira Aruna, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GlobalView Capital Limited, also attributed increased institutional participation to the revised investment limits, which created additional room for pension fund administrators to invest in equities. Institutional transactions reached ?8.369 trillion during the nine-month period.

However, the increase in pension fund equity holdings does not necessarily represent an equivalent amount of fresh investment. Richard-Adelokiki noted that share-price appreciation accounted for much of the earlier increase, underscoring the distinction between portfolio valuation gains and new capital inflows.

The market’s All-Share Index gained 61.43 per cent between January and September, while market capitalisation rose from ?99.38 trillion to approximately ?157.74 trillion.

Attention is now turning to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery initial public offering (IPO), which involves 4.1 billion shares at ?525 each, representing approximately ?2.15 trillion. PenCom granted pension funds a one-off waiver in May to participate in the offer.

Although IPO subscriptions are excluded from the Exchange’s secondary-market transaction figures, investors selling existing shares to finance subscriptions could influence trading activity.

Richard-Adelokiki said refunds from an oversubscribed offer could return liquidity to listed equities. At the offer price, the refinery’s implied valuation of about ?65 trillion could also make it the Exchange’s largest listed company, significantly affecting total market capitalisation and potentially influencing the All-Share Index’s performance.

The relatively small proportion of shares offered could also amplify price movements when trading begins, depending on demand and available supply.

The October portfolio investment report will provide a fresh indication of whether foreign investors have begun returning as net buyers following Nigeria’s reclassification.

For now, domestic investors, particularly pension funds, remain central to market activity. Sustaining the rally will depend on continued local participation, renewed foreign inflows and the ability of new listings to deepen the market beyond valuation gains.

A Sharia Court in Jogana has adjourned a ?5.25 million lawsuit filed against popular TikTok personality Fatima Tabatul by Muhammad Abdulkadir, who is seeking to recover money he allegedly spent on her following a promise of marriage.

Abdulkadir is claiming ?5,252,077, which he said he spent on the social media personality after she allegedly promised to marry him but later failed to fulfil the commitment.

The case, presided over by Judge Kamalu Haruna Durumin Iya, came up for hearing on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

At the sitting, counsel to the defendant, Barrister Usman Umar Abdullahi, challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit, urging the judge to strike out the matter on the grounds that the court lacked the legal authority to hear it.

However, the plaintiff’s counsel, Barrister Yasir Garba Mukhtar, opposed the application, arguing that the defence had failed to provide sufficient legal grounds to establish that the court lacked jurisdiction.

Mukhtar maintained that the court was legally empowered to hear and determine the matter.

After listening to arguments from both parties, Judge Durumin Iya adjourned the case until November 3, 2026, when the court is expected to rule on the jurisdictional challenge.

The ruling will determine whether the Sharia Court has the legal authority to proceed with the substantive hearing of the suit.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday tendered key documents before the Election Petition Tribunal in defence of his victory in the June 20 governorship election.

Oyebanji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer and second respondent in separate petitions filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Action Alliance (AA), opened his defence by tendering the documents before closing his case.

In the petitions challenging his return, the governor, through his lead counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, tendered Certified True Copies (CTCs) of sensitive electoral documents obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The documents included Form EC8D, which summarised results from the local government areas collated at the state level; Form EC8E, the official result sheet for the governorship election as declared at the conclusion of collation; and an official INEC receipt for payment for the CTCs of the election results.

In both petitions, all the documents tendered by the second respondent were admitted and marked as exhibits. There was no objection to their admissibility from INEC’s lead counsel, Mr Sulaiman Ibrahim, SAN, or Mrs Olaoluwa Adeoti, who held brief for the lead counsel to the SDP and AA, Mr Adewole Adebayo.

Ikpeazu said that, having reviewed the evidence presented by the petitioners and the testimony obtained during the cross-examination of their witnesses by Oyebanji’s legal team, the second respondent had no intention of calling any witnesses.

On behalf of the governor, Ikpeazu applied to close his client’s case before the tribunal. Counsel to the petitioners and INEC did not oppose the application.

Earlier in the day, INEC’s counsel, Ibrahim, supported by his colleague, Mrs Wendy Kuku, SAN, also tendered relevant documents in support of the conduct of the election and the declaration of its results by the electoral umpire.

The documents tendered by INEC’s legal team included CTCs of Form EC8D, summarising results from all 16 local government areas collated at the state level, and Form EC8E, the official result sheet for the Ekiti governorship election.

Counsel to Oyebanji, the SDP and the AA did not object to the admissibility of the documents. The three-member panel, led by its chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, subsequently admitted them and marked them as exhibits.

While Ibrahim closed INEC’s case in the SDP petition, Kuku closed the commission’s case in the AA petition.

The two senior lawyers said they were satisfied with the evidence presented during the petitioners’ examination-in-chief and the cross-examination of their witnesses by the respondents’ counsel.

In brief rulings on the two petitions, the tribunal chairman, Justice Kutigi, directed all parties to file and exchange written addresses and replies.

He subsequently adjourned the sitting until Friday, November 20, for the adoption of written addresses by the parties.

The SDP and AA had closed their cases before the tribunal on Thursday, October 22, without calling further witnesses, as the day marked the final day allowed by law for the prosecution of their petitions.

Oyebanji of the APC polled 319,224 votes to secure re-election, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, who came second with 40,543 votes. Oluyede later withdrew his petition before the tribunal.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes and did not file a petition before the tribunal.

The SDP candidate, Mr Adebayo Alade, who later withdrew from his party’s petition, polled 179 votes, while the AA flag bearer, Mr Olu Omotoso, scored 126 votes in the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger military cooperation among African countries to address evolving security challenges through intelligence sharing, joint training and coordinated operations.

Shaibu made the call on Monday during bilateral military talks with the Commander of the Zambia Army, Lt. Gen. Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, on the sidelines of the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.

The Nigerian Army spokesperson, Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja.

According to the statement, the COAS said the growing threats of terrorism, insurgency, transnational organised crime and unconstitutional changes of government required military cooperation from African countries.

He stressed that no country could effectively tackle the challenges in isolation, underscoring the need for sustained collaboration among African armed forces.

The COAS also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening military relations with Zambia and other African partners, particularly in counter-terrorism operations, peace support missions, professional military training and capacity development.

In his response, Zyeele commended the Nigerian Army for its contributions to regional security and efforts to combat terrorism.

He expressed Zambia’s readiness to deepen military cooperation with Nigeria to improve operational effectiveness and advance their mutual security interests.

The statement added that the bilateral engagement formed part of Shaibu’s activities at AFRIDEX 2026, which brought together African military leaders, defence industry stakeholders and strategic partners to explore opportunities for defence collaboration, technological advancement and collective responses to emerging security threats.

Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged women in leadership positions to mentor younger women, expand access to opportunities and use their influence to address barriers confronting the next generation.

Sanwo-Olu said women who have attained success in business, the professions and public service should look beyond their personal achievements by preparing younger women for leadership and making it easier for them to succeed.

The governor spoke on Tuesday at the opening of the 26th Annual National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The conference has as its theme, ‘Anchored in Purpose: Be the Blueprint.’

Sanwo-Olu said the theme challenged participants to consider the examples they were setting, the opportunities they were creating, and the legacy they would leave for future generations.

‘I encourage our accomplished women in business, the professions, public service and other fields, to look beyond your individual success. How many younger women are you preparing for success? How many doors are you opening?’ he asked.

According to him, the younger generation of women should have access to more opportunities than their predecessors, while girls should be able to pursue their ambitions without being constrained by circumstances beyond their control.

The governor noted that the conference was taking place at a time when many Nigerian families were grappling with difficult economic realities, with women working to sustain businesses, support their families, educate their children and contribute to societal development.

He, however, stressed that resilience alone was insufficient to address the challenges confronting women, calling for practical interventions that would improve their economic and social conditions.

Sanwo-Olu said a small business owner needed access to affordable finance and markets, while young graduates required opportunities for meaningful employment.

He added that mothers needed accessible healthcare and a safe environment in which to raise their children.

He said his administration recognised women’s economic participation as an important component of Lagos State’s development, citing initiatives such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship support and investments in education and healthcare.

The governor acknowledged that more work remained to be done, stressing that the effectiveness of government policies should be measured by their impact on people’s daily lives.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the importance of institutional continuity, noting that COWLSO had sustained its activities across successive administrations through the contributions of different generations of women.

‘Leadership is temporary, but the institutions we strengthen and the opportunities we create can endure long after our tenure,’ he said.

He described the 26th edition as particularly significant for him and his wife, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, because it was the eighth and final edition they would host in their current capacities as governor and First Lady of Lagos State.

The governor commended his wife for her commitment to COWLSO and her dedication to improving the welfare of women, children and families.

He also appreciated the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, the leadership and members of COWLSO, and others who had contributed to the success of the annual conference.

Reflecting on last year’s silver jubilee, which was celebrated under the theme, ’25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation,’ Sanwo-Olu said the organisation must now focus on building on the foundation laid by its founders and previous leaders.

He urged women who would take responsibility for sustaining COWLSO in subsequent administrations to preserve its core values, strengthen programmes that deliver results and respond to the changing needs of women and families.

According to him, the impact of the conference should be evident in businesses it helps to grow, professional relationships it fosters, young women it mentors and opportunities it creates beyond the event.

‘If you have knowledge, share it. If you have influence, use it wisely. If you have overcome barriers, help others find an easier path,’ the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu subsequently declared the conference open, expressing hope that the deliberations would be fruitful and beneficial to participants.

Hon. Olatunde Gideon Igbasan, Director-General of the APC Youth Network West Africa, has intensified efforts to mobilise young people and strengthen support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid with his participation in a peace walk in Cape Town, South Africa.

The peace walk, held around Sea Point, was organised by the South Africa chapter of the APC Youth Network West Africa to promote peaceful political participation and rally support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Igbasan, who is also a member of the Youth Mobilisation Directorate of the PBAT/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign, used the event to reinforce the network’s commitment to expanding its reach across West Africa and among Nigerians and APC supporters in the diaspora.

The participation of the APC youth mobilisation chief underscored the organisation’s efforts to unite young people and support groups across national boundaries behind a common political agenda.

Under Igbasan’s leadership, the network has strengthened its structures in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa.

Beyond political mobilisation, the organisation has also pursued youth development and humanitarian initiatives, including food outreach programmes, support for mothers and student-focused interventions.

The Cape Town peace walk also highlighted the network’s rallying message, ‘We Are One,’ which promotes unity, cooperation and collective commitment among APC support groups at home and abroad.

According to the organisation, youth mobilisation goes beyond electioneering to include building sustainable structures, encouraging responsible political participation and creating opportunities for young people to contribute to Nigeria’s development.

The event also recognised the contributions of the South Africa chapter, coordinated by Hon. Samuel Tabiti Adeyemi, towards strengthening the organisation’s diaspora engagement and expanding its mobilisation activities.

With the 2027 General Elections approaching, the APC Youth Network West Africa said it would continue to expand its presence, deepen youth participation and strengthen collaboration among supporters within Nigeria and across the diaspora.

The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to its mobilisation campaign under the slogan: ‘Strong and Reliable! This Is Our Time! Across West Africa! We Are One.’