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The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which issued the warning threatened to deploy the criminal provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) against erring institutions and individuals involved.

According to the corporation, covering up insider-related abuses, particularly those involving non-performing or improperly granted loans, could undermine the stability of the banking system and contribute to bank failures.

NDIC’s Head of Legal unit Oladipo Kushimo spoke during a breakout session titled: ‘Too big to fail?’ at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.

Kushimo said the regulator had encountered cases where banks failed to properly report or expose offences involving insiders, stressing that such practices could not be allowed to undermine the financial system.

He said: ‘Sometimes you find out that the bank covers the offence. It is one of the experiences of the regulator, and it is necessary to stem such practices and maintain financial sustainability.’

Noting that financial system stability required effective prevention, regulation and supervision, Kushimo said that NDIC would not shy away from pursuing those who compromised the banking system.

According to him, the NDIC has criminal enforcement powers under the law and would use them where necessary to deal with infractions and suspected criminal conduct.

He urged lawyers, bank employees and other stakeholders with information about insider abuses or assets connected to such activities to report them to the regulator.

Kushimo said: ‘If you have a record of any insider, you can submit that to the regulator. Tell us; write to us, NDIC. If you have any information, any property or software owned by a director, whatever it is, we need to know.’

Kushimo said such disclosures would assist the corporation in protecting depositors and maintaining the integrity of the banking system.

He also stressed the importance of dealing decisively with parties who compromise banking operations, saying the NDIC’s mandate extends beyond protecting depositors to bringing to justice those responsible for infractions.

Kushimo He said the corporation conducts examinations to determine what went wrong, who was responsible and whether criminal conduct occurred, after which cases could be referred to law-enforcement agencies for prosecution.

‘We have a criminal part to the Act. We examine what was not done, who should have done it, and we refer cases to the police,’ he said.

Kushimo, who acknowledged that uncovering sophisticated financial crimes could be difficult, assured participants that the NDIC was intensifying efforts to detect and prosecute such offences.

He said: ‘These are incidents related to banking and, of course, incidents related to committing crimes. You have to be extremely diligent to uncover such fraud.

‘But I stand here before you to tell you that NDIC is up to it. We are checking it. We are bringing those who committed infractions against banks and depositors to justice.’

He also explained the importance of deposit insurance in protecting ordinary depositors when banks fail.

According to him, the NDIC’s deposit insurance framework is designed primarily to protect small depositors, noting that insured deposits of up to N5 million cover about 98 per cent of depositors.

‘The essence of deposit insurance is to protect the low depositors, the street market, you and I, so that at the end of the day, our savings are not lost,’ he said.

Kushimo said the remaining depositors, whose funds exceeded the insured limit, were generally expected to have greater awareness of the financial system and its risks.

He also defended the role of monetary policy in controlling inflation and maintaining the value of money, saying interest rates could not be considered in isolation from broader economic conditions.

Thw NDIC official said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) periodically reviews monetary conditions, including money supply and inflation, to arrive at policies aimed at maintaining financial stability.

Kushimo said banks must operate within a regulated environment, adding that lending rates and other banking decisions were influenced by broader macroeconomic objectives.

He urged stakeholders to recognise the importance of a sound banking system to the wider economy, saying the regulator could not afford to ignore practices capable of destabilising financial institutions.

The growing influence of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has exposed what lawyers Festus Ogun and Deji Adeyanju described as the failure of members of the legal profession to consistently champion the interests of ordinary Nigerians.

The lawyers said the increasing tendency of Nigerians to take their grievances to VDM rather than seek legal assistance should serve as a wake-up call to the profession.

Ogun raised the issue in a post on X on Wednesday, arguing that VDM’s growing influence was partly a result of the vacuum created by lawyers who, he said, had failed to stand firmly for the masses and the country.

According to him, lawyers should not limit their professional responsibilities to making money from legal practice but should also actively defend citizens whose rights are threatened.

‘VDM’s relevance is necessitated by the vacuum created by we lawyers who ordinarily should, in addition to making money, stand firmly for the cause of the masses and our country,’ Ogun wrote.

He also criticised the manner in which some lawyers approach public-interest litigation, arguing that pro bono representation should not be treated merely as a means of enhancing professional credentials.

Ogun alleged that some lawyers become more interested in public-interest cases when seeking recognition that could strengthen their prospects of becoming Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), only to reduce their involvement afterwards.

He maintained that public-interest advocacy should instead be regarded as a continuing responsibility of the legal profession.

Reacting to the development, Adeyanju described the growing reliance on VDM by Nigerians seeking redress as a ‘huge indictment’ of the legal profession.

He said the situation should prompt lawyers to reflect on how effectively they were serving the public, particularly citizens who lacked the resources or connections to pursue justice through conventional channels.

Reacting to Ogun’s position, Adeyanju, who is also VDM’s lawyer, agreed that the development reflected a deeper crisis of confidence between lawyers and the public.

Adeyanju said the fact that some Nigerians would rather contact VDM than lawyers was a serious indictment of the legal profession.

‘It’s a huge indictment that Nigerians will rather call VDM than call many of us. We must look inward for solutions and get back the trust and confidence of the people,’ he wrote.

The comments have renewed debate over the role of lawyers in public-interest advocacy and the changing ways Nigerians seek justice and redress.

Traditionally, lawyers have been central to citizens seeking legal remedies, challenging government actions and protecting fundamental rights.

However, the rise of social media has created alternative channels through which Nigerians can publicise grievances and mobilise public opinion.

VDM has become one of the most prominent figures in this emerging space.

Through his social media platforms, he has regularly raised allegations brought to him by members of the public, criticised government institutions and private individuals, and campaigned on issues relating to alleged corruption, injustice, abuse of power and poor governance.

His interventions have often generated significant online reactions, with supporters portraying him as a voice for people who believe conventional institutions have failed them.

The activist’s influence has also increasingly extended beyond social media, with public institutions and prominent individuals responding to issues he raises.

His ability to mobilise online pressure has made him an influential figure in public discourse, particularly among young Nigerians.

However, his approach has also attracted criticism from those who argue that allegations should be subjected to proper investigation and legal processes rather than trial by social media.

The debate over his influence took another turn at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

VDM participated in a session on insecurity and other national issues and was subsequently presented with a special recognition award by the NBA.

The recognition generated reactions because of his status as a social media activist and his growing influence in areas traditionally associated with lawyers and civil society organisations.

For Ogun and Adeyanju, however, the more important issue is not VDM’s popularity itself but what it reveals about the relationship between lawyers and the people they are expected to serve.

Their comments suggest that the profession must examine why citizens increasingly seek alternative platforms to air grievances and demand justice.

They argued that lawyers could regain public confidence by becoming more accessible, taking up more public-interest cases and consistently defending citizens whose rights are threatened.

The lawyers’ position also raises questions about the cost and accessibility of legal services in Nigeria, where many citizens may be unable to afford prolonged litigation or secure immediate legal representation.

For some Nigerians, social media provides a faster and more accessible avenue for attracting attention to their problems, particularly when formal institutions appear slow or inaccessible.

The challenge for the legal profession, therefore, is to ensure that citizens do not see social media activism as a substitute for legal representation and institutional justice.

The growing influence of VDM and other online activists has shown that public advocacy is no longer confined to courtrooms, press conferences or traditional civil society organisations.

As social media continues to shape public opinion and accountability campaigns, lawyers may increasingly be required to combine professional expertise with stronger grassroots engagement.

For Ogun and Adeyanju, rebuilding that connection is essential if the legal profession is to reclaim its traditional position as a trusted defender of the rights and interests of Nigerians.

Presidential candidates, party chairpersons, election managers, security chiefs, clerics, diplomats and elder politicians gather in a hall. Cameras click. Hands are shaken. Smiles are exchanged. Then comes the defining moment: the candidates put pen to paper and pledge to pursue power without violence, hate speech, ethnic or religious incitement, misinformation, or conduct capable of plunging the country into crisis.

Last Tuesday, Nigeria witnessed another such moment as presidential candidates and political parties signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The accord, facilitated by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, committed the candidates and their parties to peaceful and issue-based campaigns as electioneering formally commenced. The message was clear: campaigns should be a contest of ideas, not a declaration of war.

But Nigeria has travelled this road before. Since the historic 2015 presidential election, peace accords have become an important feature of the country’s electoral calendar. The National Peace Committee says it has facilitated dozens of such agreements, including national and subnational accords. The 2015 accord, signed by then President Goodluck Jonathan and opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari, remains the most celebrated example, particularly because the election produced a peaceful transfer of power and Jonathan accepted defeat.

Yet, subsequent elections have also exposed the fundamental weakness of the process: signing an accord is easier than living by it.

The 2023 election cycle offers the clearest illustration. Presidential candidates signed an initial peace accord in September 2022 and returned to sign the substantive agreement just days before the February 25 presidential election. Yet, even before the polls, the National Peace Committee was compelled to raise concerns about breaches.

The statistics were revealing. According to the committee, 44 per cent of the violations recorded after the first accord were attributed to party spokespersons, 26 per cent to party members, 19 per cent to the presidential candidates themselves, 11 per cent to hardcore supporters and four per cent to party chairpersons. Political rallies were attacked, campaign rhetoric became increasingly toxic, and social media turned into another battlefield.

The European Union Election Observation Mission also reported inadequate adherence to peace pledges during the 2023 elections, citing widespread impunity and uncertainty about whether arrests for election-related offences ultimately led to sanctions.

This raises an uncomfortable question: Why do Nigerian politicians sign peace accords if many of them, their parties, and supporters later appear unwilling or unable to comply with them?

One reason is that an accord often creates a moral obligation without an equally effective enforcement mechanism.

A candidate may publicly commit to peaceful conduct, but the political structure around him is far larger than the individual standing before the cameras. There are party executives, campaign directors, spokespersons, candidates at other levels, political associates, hired supporters, and millions of online followers. A single inflammatory statement by a spokesperson or a reckless post by a prominent supporter can undermine the spirit of an agreement signed at the highest level.

The 2023 figures themselves suggest that the problem is not restricted to presidential candidates. In fact, party spokespersons and members accounted for a greater proportion of the reported violations than the candidates.

There is also the familiar problem of political desperation. For many politicians, elections are not merely competitions for public office; they are high-stakes battles in which defeat can mean the loss of influence, patronage, and political relevance. Under such pressure, the temptation to weaponise ethnicity, religion, personal attacks, and unverified information can become stronger than the commitment made in a conference hall.

That is why the 2027 peace accord must be treated differently. The understanding should not end with the candidates. Every participant in the electoral process must know exactly what the agreement means and what conduct is prohibited. Political parties should formally transmit its provisions to their state and local structures. Campaign councils should make compliance a condition of participation. Spokespersons, social media teams, and prominent supporters should understand that the candidate’s signature is also a commitment to the candidate’s conduct.

There must also be consequences. An accord without accountability risks becoming a ceremonial document-important for photographs and opening speeches but forgotten once campaigns become heated. Political actors who repeatedly violate the terms should be publicly identified, while existing electoral, criminal, and party disciplinary mechanisms should be invoked where applicable.

This is particularly important in an age in which political communication travels faster than ever. A provocative message can move from a campaign rally in one part of Nigeria to millions of mobile phones within minutes. False claims can inflame communities before corrections arrive. The National Peace Committee itself has identified fake news, insults, character assassination, and inflammatory campaign messaging as recurring threats to peaceful elections.

The responsibility, therefore, cannot rest solely on the candidates. INEC, security agencies, political parties, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and the media all have roles to play. The police and other security agencies must act impartially and decisively against political violence. Parties must discipline their members rather than defend every excess as partisan loyalty. The media must resist becoming amplifiers of dangerous rhetoric, while citizens must reject the idea that supporting a candidate requires attacking or dehumanising another Nigerian.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described the accord as a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people and urged political parties and candidates to place national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.

He warned that the struggle for political power must not become a do-or-die affair.

He also advised political actors against exploiting ethnic and religious sentiments to mobilise voters, insisting that the 2027 campaign should be based on competing ideas, policies and programmes.

‘Signing this peace accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that we, as leaders, will put the nation’s interests above personal or partisan ambitions,’ Tinubu said.

The president acknowledged that political campaigns naturally generate disagreements and intense competition but insisted that such disagreements should not threaten national unity.

‘It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing missions for our country. We may exchange occasional political jabs, but as members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive and primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,’ he said.

Tinubu urged the candidates to concentrate on the issues affecting Nigerians and offer competing solutions to the country’s challenges.

‘Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people,’ he told his opponents.

The president said the APC remained committed to the provisions of the accord and would reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, incitement, and digital manipulation.

‘Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media.

‘We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity. I encourage other political parties and political actors to do the same,’ he said.

Tinubu also commended the National Peace Committee for sustaining its interventions in the electoral process since 2014, noting that the initiative had helped bring political actors together to commit to peaceful elections publicly.

Peter Obi captured one of the central contradictions of the exercise when he argued at the signing that politicians seeking high office should not need a peace accord before behaving responsibly. His point was simple: those aspiring to lead should already possess the character expected of the office they seek to hold.

That observation should not, however, diminish the importance of the accord. Nigeria still needs it-not because a signature can magically end violence, but because democracy requires a common understanding of the rules of engagement.

The agreement establishes a public benchmark against which Nigerians can measure candidates and parties. It provides a basis for calling out those who promote violence and division. More importantly, it reminds political actors that their ambition must have limits.

As campaigns gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the true value of last week’s peace accord will not be measured by how many dignitaries witnessed the signing or how many candidates appended their signatures.

It will be measured at campaign rallies, on television screens, in newspaper headlines, on social media platforms and, ultimately, at the polling units.

Nigeria does not need another peace accord that survives only on paper. It needs an understanding that every signatory-and every person acting in the name of a political party-will respect even when the campaign becomes difficult, the contest becomes tense, and the prospect of defeat becomes real. Only then will the signature become more than a symbol. Only then will the peace accord become what it was intended to be: a genuine covenant with the Nigerian people.

An eight-month international police operation targeting West African and other organised crime networks, known as Operation Jackal IV, has resulted in the identification of 263 suspects and the arrest of 58 people across 22 countries by the INTERPOL.

Nigeria was among the countries that participated in Operation Jackal IV. Other participating countries were Austria, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

INTERPOL said the results of the operation highlighted the increasingly international nature of West African organised crime and the need for continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal networks and their financial infrastructure.

The operation was conducted between November 2025 and June 2026, with law enforcement agencies focusing on dismantling criminal networks, tracing illicit financial flows, identifying key suspects, recovering criminal proceeds and supporting prosecutions.

The global security network disclosed the outcome of the operation in a statement published on its website yesterday.

INTERPOL said the operation was launched in response to the growing international reach of West African criminal networks, including the Black Axe and other groups linked to cyber-enabled fraud and violent crimes.

It stated that the networks have been associated with various forms of financial crime, including romance scams, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, as well as business email compromise schemes.

The operation involved law enforcement agencies from 22 countries spanning six continents.

Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Tomonobu Kaya, said the operation demonstrated the importance of international collaboration in tackling organised crime.

‘Operation Jackal IV demonstrates the power of international cooperation. By following illicit financial flows across borders, we are attacking the very lifeblood of organised crime and making it increasingly difficult for criminal networks to profit from their activities,’ Kaya said.

In Argentina, investigators identified 196 people allegedly connected to a major Crime-as-a-Service network accused of supplying website domains and money-laundering services to West African criminal groups. The investigation led to 17 arrests.

South African authorities, meanwhile, carried out raids at seven locations in Johannesburg as part of an investigation into a syndicate allegedly involved in romance and investment scams targeting retirees in English-speaking countries.

The organisation said the South African operation resulted in 39 arrests, the seizure of $2.67 million and the freezing of 257 bank accounts.

In Italy, investigators identified a suspect allegedly linked to a money-laundering network operating across Europe. The network reportedly used shell companies, remittance businesses and cash withdrawals to disguise the origins of illicit funds.

INTERPOL said one bank account connected to the network processed pound 845,000 through 560 transactions involving 20 different financial instruments.

Romanian authorities also dismantled a criminal organisation accused of running an investment scam through a call centre, arresting 11 people in the process.

The operation in Romania led to the recovery of approximately pound 330,000 in cash and cryptocurrency, as well as six properties and several luxury watches. INTERPOL said investigators estimated that the scheme had generated and laundered about pound 143 million globally.

Beyond financial crimes, the international operation uncovered an increase in sextortion cases involving West African organised crime groups and minors.

INTERPOL said some victims were as young as 14, with offenders allegedly using social media platforms to establish relationships with minors before coercing them into sending explicit images or videos.

The suspects would then allegedly threaten to circulate the material to the victims’ friends and family unless ransom payments were made.

The agency also reported that some organised crime groups were increasingly turning to Crime-as-a-Service providers, including operators on the dark web, to outsource specialised criminal activities such as money laundering.

Nigeria’s Constitution is the country’s supreme legal framework, yet many citizens remain unfamiliar with the fundamental rights it guarantees.

Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, sets out several fundamental rights, including the rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, privacy, freedom of expression, movement, association and property.

Understanding these rights can help Nigerians recognise when their constitutional protections are being upheld and when they may need to seek legal assistance.

1. Right to Personal Liberty

Section 35 of the Constitution protects the personal liberty of every person. It provides that no one should be deprived of liberty except in circumstances permitted by law and in accordance with procedures established by law.

The provision is particularly relevant to arrest and detention. While law enforcement agencies have powers to arrest and detain people in specified circumstances, such powers are subject to constitutional and legal safeguards.

2. Right to fair hearing

Section 36 provides for the right to fair hearing.

Where a court or tribunal determines a person’s civil rights and obligations, or whether a person has committed a criminal offence, the Constitution provides a range of safeguards designed to ensure a fair process.

These include the right to know the case against oneself and, in criminal proceedings, the opportunity to defend oneself in accordance with the law.

3. Right to privacy

Section 37 protects the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications.

Privacy is therefore a constitutionally protected right and not merely a matter of personal preference.

However, like several other fundamental rights, the right to privacy is subject to lawful limitations in circumstances recognised by the Constitution and other applicable laws.

4. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Section 38 guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

It protects a person’s right to change their religion or belief and to practise or manifest that religion or belief, subject to the limitations recognised by the Constitution.

In Nigeria’s religiously diverse society, the protection is particularly significant.

5. Freedom of expression and the press

Section 39 guarantees freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

The provision also establishes a constitutional basis for freedom of the press and other media.

However, freedom of expression is not absolute. Other laws may impose lawful restrictions in areas such as defamation, national security and public order, subject to constitutional requirements.

6. Right to peaceful assembly and association

Section 40 gives every person the right to assemble freely and associate with other people.

The right covers lawful associations, including community groups, professional organisations, civil society organisations and other bodies.

The Constitution, however, permits certain lawful restrictions on this right in specified circumstances.

7. Freedom of movement

Section 41 provides that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part of the country.

It also protects against expulsion from Nigeria or refusal of entry into the country.

The right therefore gives Nigerians a constitutional basis to move from one part of the country to another and to choose where they reside, subject to lawful restrictions.

8. Freedom from Discrimination

Section 42 protects Nigerian citizens from discrimination on specified grounds.

These include ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion.

The provision is particularly important in a country with diverse ethnic, religious and cultural communities.

9. Right to Own Property

Section 43 provides that every citizen of Nigeria has the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.

However, this right does not mean every parcel of land is automatically available for private ownership.

The Constitution and other applicable laws govern land ownership and interests in land, including the Land Use Act and relevant state legislation.

10. Protection against compulsory acquisition of property

Section 44 provides constitutional safeguards for the compulsory acquisition of movable or immovable property.

In general, such acquisition must be carried out in accordance with a law that prescribes the applicable conditions, including provisions relating to compensation and the determination of interests in the property.

The Constitution also provides for access to a court or tribunal in specified circumstances concerning the person’s interest in the property and the amount of compensation payable.

This means that government acquisition of private property is subject to constitutional and legal procedures rather than being an unrestricted power to take property.

A former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Ayo Arise, has tackled former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his reported plan to restore petrol subsidy if elected President.

Arise said such a policy reversal would amount to taking Nigeria back to the dark era of economic mismanagement and corruption, arguing that the country could not afford to reverse a policy that had helped free up huge resources for development.

Arise, who spoke while appearing on national television programme, said Atiku’s proposal showed that he had not been properly advised on the economic implications and benefits of the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The APC chieftain argued that the resources freed by subsidy removal had strengthened the capacity of the Federal Government and states to meet their obligations and finance developmental programmes.

‘For me, I would, without any doubt, imagine that former Vice president advisors have not done him any favour. They have not done so by explaining that, look, when you have the government now having sufficient funds without any form of interruption to pay salaries, as I told you, without running to the Federal Government to ask for any sort of loans to pay salaries, some of this is being taken for granted.’

Arise maintained that the regular payment of salaries, which he said was now being taken for granted, had significant implications for the economy because workers were able to retain their purchasing power.

‘It’s not because it’s happening without happening in real time. And so nobody’s complaining.But in the past, when salaries are not paid, those who are salary earners will not be able to actually buy little things that they need. They can’t pay school fees.’

Arise said the consequences of unpaid salaries went beyond individual workers, as businesses and the wider economy also suffered when citizens lacked the purchasing power to meet their obligations.

‘So it actually comes down to the fact that if people don’t have the buying power because they’re not paid on time, now it has consequences beyond what one can easily explain,’ he said

The former lawmaker said the additional resources available to the government were largely a result of the removal of subsidy, arguing that Nigerians needed to consider the broader impact of the policy instead of focusing only on its immediate challenges.

‘Because those things are no longer happening, it can be taken for granted. But the money for all this to be happening came from the subsidy removal. Most of the money came from the subsidy removal,’ he said.

The ex-federal lawmaker also cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as an example of how government resources were being channelled into programmes aimed at supporting Nigerians.

‘Here is the government that says whatever money we have recovered from looting, we are going to direct most of it to the NELFUND to be able to pay school fees for those who ordinarily would have dropped out of school due to lack of ability, for their parents to pay,’ he said.

Arise maintained that the subsidy regime created opportunities for fraudulent practices, with some individuals allegedly claiming to have imported petroleum products without actually doing so.

‘These are some of the understandings, I believe, a good advisor would have presented to his principal before such utterance could have come out,’ he said.

He further argued that the increased allocations available to state governments had provided them with greater capacity to undertake infrastructure and social development projects.

‘And now the states, I understand, collected over a hundred billion in allocation. So with a hundred billion, you can begin to tap into development issues within the states,’ he said.

‘Trans-state roads, provide water, provide good health facilities.’

Arise said the improved revenue available to the states meant that governors should no longer depend entirely on the Federal Government to provide basic infrastructure and services.

‘It’s no longer the responsibility of the Federal Government. They are making provisions for the state government to take responsibility and take control in the state and ensure that developmental strides are seen and are known,’ he said.

He also argued that the benefits of the subsidy removal would become more evident as governments invest in infrastructure and other projects.

‘We don’t need people of the state to say, ‘My government is doing excellently well.’ By the time you have such resources to build infrastructure in your state, campaigning will be less cumbersome because you can point to things that are happening that never happened before,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Arise commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for what he described as the transparency of the recent Osun State governorship election.

He said the conduct of the poll was an indication that the 2027 presidential election would be based on the achievements of the various political parties and candidates.

‘On INEC, I’m very happy for their performance, particularly at the Osun election. That election clearly shows that Mr President wants a very transparent election,’ he said.

The APC chieftain said that Tinubu would be comfortable going into the 2027 election on the strength of his administration’s unprecedented achievements, saying ‘I believe he’s very comfortable with himself based on his achievements in the last three years’.

‘I would say that the expectation is that the election coming in 2027 will be based on achievement, on facts and figures.And the Nigerians will decide, compare it with what existed in the past in this country versus what the APC under the watch of Asiwaju Tinubu has been able to achieve for Nigeria’, Arise added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of Mr Abayomi Hunye for allegedly parading himself as its governorship candidate for Ogun State in the January 2027 election.

In a petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Tunde Disu, on Monday, the APC accused Hunye of false representation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and violations of the Electoral Act 2026.

The party maintained that Senator Adeola Olamilekan (known as Yayi) and his running mate, Balogun Abiodun, remain its legitimate flagbearers.

The petition signed by APC Director of Administration Ayoola Olajolo reads in part: ‘The subject has notoriously and unlawfully taken to the public domain, including print and social media, parading himself as the governorship candidate of our party for the forthcoming January 2027 election.

‘I wish to state unequivocally that this claim is false, fraudulent, and a deliberate act of impersonation designed to mislead the public and destabilise the peace of Ogun State.’

The petition provides detailed context regarding Hunye’s status within the party, revealing that he was validly suspended from the APC on April 7, 2026.

His suspension, according to the APC, followed a written petition from his ward in Tube, Ipokia Local Government Area.

It said the petition from his ward was ratified by the Ogun State Working Committee before being formally communicated to the APC national headquarters in Abuja

In documents, including certified copies of the suspension letter and ratification notices, attached to the petition forwarded to Disu, Hunye was disciplined for engaging in anti-party activities, acts injurious to the image and interests of the APC and orchestrating deliberate actions aimed at creating disaffection and division among loyal party members.

The APC emphasised that having concluded a valid primary election, its official ticket was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with acknowledgement slips issued for Senator Adeola as the governorship candidate and Abiodun as the deputy governorship candidate.

Seeking security intervention to avert a breakdown of law and order, the APC asked the IG to, among others, invite Hunye for questioning, prosecute him after investigation for impersonation and restrain him from further parading himself as its candidate.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the sudden death of veteran journalist and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing at the age of 56 as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation.

The President, in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Oladipo devoted significant years of his life to informing Nigerians and contributing to the development of the country’s democracy.

Oladipo, a former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper, later founded The Eagle Online, where he contributed to the growth of digital journalism in Nigeria.

Tinubu acknowledged the late journalist’s contributions to the profession, particularly his years of dedicated service in political reporting and commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through traditional and digital media platforms.

According to the President, Oladipo’s professional career underscored the important role journalists play in strengthening democracy through informing citizens, holding public officials accountable, and providing platforms for robust public discourse.

He also recalled the deceased’s passion for journalism and his contributions to expanding the digital media space through The Eagle Online, which he established after a remarkable career at The Punch.

‘Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy.

‘His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues in GOCOP and friends. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss’, Tinubu said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says the All Progressives Congres (APC) has enough achievements to present to Nigerians during its campaigns for the general election.

Akpabio said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had recorded significant progress despite inheriting what he described as a ”distressed economy.”

He spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he received members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) on Monday.

The Senate President said in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, that the Tinubu administration has changed the economic situation it inherited, particularly in the payment of salaries and pensions by state governments.

‘The current President has done a lot for Nigerians. He met an economy in shambles. When he came in, 27 states could not pay salaries and pensions, but today, the story has changed because of his reengineering and thinking out of the box,’ Akpabio said.

He expressed confidence that Nigerians would return Tinubu to office next year.

‘We have a President who thinks outside the box, bringing about innovation. We will have something to tell Nigerians about the unprecedented achievements of Mr President at the campaign grounds,’ Akpabio said.

He listed the economy, agriculture, security, education and fiscal policy among areas where he said the administration had made notable progress.

According to him, opposition politicians are aware of the administration’s achievements but are unwilling to acknowledge them because of their political interests.

‘Those in the opposition know too well the achievements of this government in the area of the economy, agriculture, security, education and fiscal policy, but because they are in the opposition, they won’t say it,’ he said.

The Senate President also defended the performance of the 10th Senate, saying it had recorded ‘giant strides’ under his leadership.

He pledged continued collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive to deliver more benefits to Nigerians, adding that lawmakers were committed to their responsibilities even during their annual recess.

‘We don’t need to listen to social media because it is garbage in, garbage out,’ Akpabio said.

He also assured Senators who would not return to the 11th Senate that their loyalty to the APC and the Tinubu administration would be appreciated. Akpabio urged them to continue working for the success of the APC and the Tinubu administration.

Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Senator Dandutse Mohammed, said the members were in Akwa Ibom to carry out their constitutional responsibilities and pay homage to the Senate President.

He hailed the Senate for legislation supporting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and other education initiatives, saying the measures had provided relief to Nigerian families.

‘Nigerian parents are happy because of NELFUND and TETFUND. We are in Akwa Ibom State on sensitisation and oversight on all of the infrastructure executed by TETFUND,’ Mohammed said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will on Monday resume its electronic membership registration in all political wards across the country.

The move marks another phase in the ruling party’s long-term strategy to modernise its internal structures, expand its grassroots base and consolidate its numerical strength ahead of next year’s general election.

APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, urged existing supporters and would be new members to enrol on its digital platform.

‘We invite all party stakeholders, supporters and members, old and new, to participate in the APC membership electronic-registration exercise,’ the party said.

‘The exercise will be conducted in all wards nationwide. Existing members are expected to validate their membership, while new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,’ it added.

According to the party’s leadership, strict eligibility criteria have been attached to the process to prevent duplicate records and verify identity. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

This development is part of a continuous push by the ruling APC to move away from analog paper registries to a fully verified digital database.

The APC previously rolled out digital membership updates and revalidation drives-notably capturing millions of verified members during phase updates earlier in 2026 in an effort to accurately map its electorate strength across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Outlining the primary objectives of the renewed exercise, Morka emphasised that the platform is engineered to overhaul party administration and enhance internal democratic processes.

‘The E-Registration Exercise is designed to digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of membership records, enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions, promote internal democracy, and strengthen the Party’s commitment to democratic innovation in Nigeria,’ he noted.