Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out any plan to postpone the 2027 general elections, insisting that the polls will be held as scheduled.

The Chairman of the commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the timetable for the elections had been fixed and would not be altered for any reason, assuring that preparations were already in top gear.

Amupitan stated this on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, during an interactive meeting with INEC staff members, including Resident Electoral Commissioners from the six states of the South-South geopolitical zone, to assess their preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

His assurance comes amid claims by some political parties that the commission was planning to postpone the general elections.

Addressing the staff, the INEC chairman said the commission was committed to conducting credible elections in accordance with the provisions of the law.

‘Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,’ he declared.

Amupitan disclosed that Rivers State would receive special attention in the commission’s preparations for the forthcoming elections because of its strategic position and having the highest number of registered voters in the South-South region.

He gave the number of registered voters in Rivers as 3,736,434, followed by Delta with 3,525,988; Edo, 2,865,263; Akwa Ibom, 2,566,198; Cross River, 1,928,978; and Bayelsa, 1,200,691.

He said the six states had a combined total of 15,823,550 registered voters, adding that the commission would pay closer attention to Rivers because of its electoral significance in the region.

‘With the 3,736,434 registered voters for Rivers State, the state leads the South-South. By this, the commission will put more attention to what happens in Rivers State. It is your duty to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised because of operational failures,’ he said.

The INEC chairman further disclosed that the commission had received more than 5,000 claims seeking corrections to the voters’ register, including errors in names and dates of birth, as well as over 600 objections.

He said the commission was addressing the complaints to ensure a credible voters’ register ahead of the elections, adding that the final register would be released on 15 December.

Amupitan explained that although the commission had initially considered revalidating the voters’ register after he assumed office, the idea was dropped following concerns that the exercise would be too close to the general elections.

On the commission’s preparedness, he expressed confidence in its capacity to conduct peaceful, transparent and credible elections, citing lessons learnt from recent off-cycle governorship elections, particularly the Osun State election.

He said the Osun election recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of off-cycle elections in the country and was adjudged credible locally and internationally despite earlier security concerns.

‘Osun State elections gave us the confidence that we can achieve this despite the noise. It is good that we had a series of those elections before the general elections because we learn lessons from every election,’ he stated.

He added that INEC would apply the experience gained from the off-cycle elections to improve its preparations for the 2027 polls, expressing optimism that the general elections would be better.

‘We will conduct elections that will move the nation forward and not an election that will bring it down,’ he said.

On security, Amupitan said the commission was working with relevant security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral personnel, ad hoc staff and election materials during the polls.

He said INEC would not encourage Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards only to fail to guarantee their safety when they turn out to exercise their franchise.

‘We want every part of Nigeria to be calm during the elections so that people can come out to vote. We will not tell them to take their PVCs and then not guarantee their safety,’ he said.

The INEC chairman also dismissed concerns that Artificial Intelligence and algorithms could determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, insisting that Nigerians, through their votes, would decide the results.

‘It is the people of Nigeria that will decide the outcome of the elections and not AI or any algorithms,’ he said.

He, however, acknowledged the growing cybersecurity threats associated with Artificial Intelligence, noting that the commission would explore ways of deploying technology to protect its systems against possible attacks.

Amupitan said INEC was also working to strengthen the security of its digital infrastructure, assuring that the commission would not allow anyone to undermine its operations.

He urged electoral officials across the South-South to remain committed to their responsibilities, stressing that the credibility of the elections would largely depend on their conduct at polling units and other field locations.

He warned that any commission staff member or ad hoc official, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), found compromising the electoral process would be punished in accordance with the law.

The INEC chairman also warned that anyone who threatened or harmed electoral officials, including corps members deployed for election duties, would face the full weight of the law.

He cautioned electoral officers against partisanship, negligence, absenteeism and financial misconduct, warning that such conduct would attract disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, Amupitan has assured Nigerians that the delays that marred the delivery of election materials in previous elections will not be repeated in 2027.

He gave the assurance on Friday, 30 October 2026, during a courtesy visit to the palace of the King and Paramount Ruler of Port Harcourt, His Royal Majesty, Barr. Uchechukwu Isaiah Elikwu, Eze Epara Rebisi XII, in Rivers State.

‘The era of the past, when elections were supposed to start by 8:30 am but materials sometimes arrived very late, must come to an end,’ he said.

He disclosed that the voter threshold for deploying additional BVAS machines had been reduced from 1,250 to 850 voters per polling unit.

‘We realise that the true dynamics of democracy are shaped in the field, within our local communities, across riverine channels, at Registration Area Centres and at polling units where citizens exercise their sovereign right,’ he said.

He said the commission had prioritised direct engagement with traditional rulers, describing the royal fathers as anchors of grassroots peace, civic engagement and community stability.

He listed the monarchs visited so far to include the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; the Ogadagidi I of Edem-An Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom, Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu; and the Emir of Gombe, Dr Abubakar Shehu III.

Amupitan appealed to the royal fathers to help mobilise residents to collect Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and turn out to vote in 2027, and to educate citizens on the dangers of misinformation, disinformation and artificial intelligence.

In response, Eze Epara Rebisi XII assured the commission of the support of traditional rulers and urged it to remain steadfast, fair and impartial.

‘Do the right thing, and we assure you of our support. We will mobilise our people to collect their PVCs and come out to vote. We assure you of our unflinching support,’ he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reconfirmed suspected manipulation of its voter registration system by some officials, following the discovery of more than 1.5 million questionable registration records, warning that those found culpable will face severe sanctions.

The Commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, where he revealed that some registration officials allegedly exploited their access to the Commission’s registration platform to introduce irregularities into the national voter database.

Bayode, who described the discoveries as disturbing and embarrassing to the Commission, said the alleged manipulation was not limited to isolated locations but had been identified across several states.

He explained that the Commission deployed its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which uses fingerprint and facial recognition technology, to examine the 11,088,238 registrations recorded during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

According to him, the system flagged 1,545,052 records for various irregularities, including suspected multiple registrations and other discrepancies requiring further investigation.

He said that although a substantial number of the flagged records had already been removed, 268,000 remained for human verification before the Commission could determine their authenticity.

Explaining why the Commission did not automatically exclude all the flagged records, Bayode said the system was designed to identify suspicious entries, while human adjudication was necessary to establish whether they were genuinely fraudulent.

He said: ‘Any suspect has to be adjudicated to a human come and confirm what the ABIS has reported.’

The ICT director disclosed that some of the questionable registrations were allegedly facilitated by officials who exploited a special registration provision designed for persons with disabilities who had incomplete fingers or no fingers.

He explained that the provision allowed eligible individuals without complete fingerprints to register through an alternative process, but some officials allegedly abused the facility to create fictitious voter profiles.

According to him, the officials allegedly used their access credentials to create such profiles, exploiting the system’s provision for special registration to introduce questionable records into the database.

Bayode also disclosed that the Commission discovered instances of identical photographs appearing against different voter profiles, as well as photographs allegedly sourced from calendars and picture frames and used to deceive its web-based registration platform.

He, however, distinguished between legitimate photographs enhanced with artificial intelligence applications and suspicious images used to create fictitious identities.

He explained that some genuine registrants might have used AI applications on their mobile phones to improve the quality of their photographs, insisting that such cases should not automatically be treated as fraudulent registrations.

The director said: ‘Some of the profiles have similar photo for different profiles with one photo. And you cannot find seven, eight people who are from the same family.’

Describing the alleged manipulation as extensive, he said some officials had identified loopholes in the registration system but, rather than report them for correction, allegedly exploited them.

Bayode, who expressed disappointment over the development, said: ‘They saw the loophole and they leveraged on the system.’

He further disclosed that the Commission had withdrawn access from the officials under investigation, adding that digital records and one-time password (OTP) authentication could help establish those responsible for the questionable registrations.

According to him, the registration system sends an OTP to an official’s registered email address or telephone number before access is granted, making it difficult for officials to claim that their credentials were used without their knowledge.

‘If anybody is using your login details to do anything, it means that you are conniving with that person,’ he said.

Bayode, however, said he was taking time to establish sufficient evidence before submitting his investigative report to the Commission, stressing that he did not want innocent officials implicated without conclusive proof.

He assured that the Commission would review the evidence and follow due process, expressing confidence that officials found culpable would face severe consequences.

He said: ‘This is an embarrassment. … Maybe the punishment now will be so huge than what they experienced in 2020.’

On the implications of the questionable registrations for the 2027 general election, the ICT director warned that fictitious voter profiles could potentially be exploited to manipulate elections if the irregularities were not identified and removed before the final register was certified.

Using a hypothetical polling unit with 800 registered voters, including 400 fictitious profiles, he explained that the production of Permanent Voter Cards for such entries could create an opportunity for electoral manipulation.

He, however, maintained that the Commission’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had biometric safeguards capable of preventing individuals whose fingerprints were not captured from successfully participating in the voting process.

On concerns about the credibility of the preliminary register, Bayode explained that its release was necessary to allow Nigerians to participate in identifying questionable entries through the claims and objections process.

He said the Commission had to balance the time required to complete biometric screening with the statutory timelines for publishing the preliminary register, adding that the document released was not the final register for the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the Commission was working to complete the verification and cleaning exercise before 15 December, when the final register is expected to be certified.

The ICT director also expressed openness to independent scrutiny of the voter database, saying the Commission could engage a third party to examine the records if it considered such an exercise necessary.

He added that interested parties could request Certified True Copies of relevant records to examine the Commission’s findings and corrective measures.

On public confidence in the electoral umpire, particularly following controversies surrounding the 2023 general election, Bayode acknowledged that the latest revelations had further complicated INEC’s efforts to rebuild public trust.

He said: ‘We are trying to build the trust, whether you like it or not, the trust is on the ground zero.’

He expressed regret that the alleged actions of some officials could undermine the Commission’s efforts to restore confidence in the electoral process, insisting that INEC had learnt lessons from previous elections and continued to improve its technological systems, including BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Bayode assured Nigerians that the Commission remained committed to conducting a credible 2027 general election, stressing that the integrity of the voter register was fundamental to the credibility of the entire electoral process.

The National Youth Affairs of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by its National Youth Pastor, Pastor Oluwafemi Oyetunde, has visited the Oyo State Secretariat, the state Police Command headquarters and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to discuss areas of collaboration on youth development, security and agriculture. Pastor Oyetunde’s three-day visit to Oyo State comprised an executive meeting with the leadership of the Mission’s Youth Affairs in Oyo on the first day, official visits to key institutions on the second day and a 24-hour Prayer and Word Retreat, themed ‘BUILDUP’, on the third day.

At the Oyo State Secretariat, the delegation met the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Victor Olojede, who pledged the state government’s support for the proposed programmes.

Olojede said the state government wanted to be involved in the initiative, noting that it could create opportunities for young people and students.

‘The Oyo State Government wants to be involved in this project,’ he said.

He disclosed that he would submit a memo to the state government to facilitate students’ participation and assured the delegation that his office would work with RCCG.

During the meeting, the national youth pastor outlined plans for a free three-month technology skills programme targeting about 10,000 young people in Oyo State. The programme would combine virtual and physical classes.

The delegation also visited the Oyo State Police Command headquarters, where it met the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga.

Oyetunde said the church was interested in working with the police on crime prevention and improving relations between young people and law enforcement officers.

‘We are here to also talk about crime prevention. How can we prevent crime, and how can we also build trust between young people and the police?’ he said.

He also sought information on police career opportunities, including short-service entry pathways, to enable young people to understand the available options.

Responding, Olugbenga stressed the importance of respect for the rule of law and community policing in relations between the police and young people.

He said community policing would enable the police and members of the public to identify common problems and discuss possible solutions.

‘Community policing makes it possible for us to identify a common problem and discuss the way forward. It will not be the police alone solving that problem,’ he said.

The commissioner advised young people to familiarise themselves with the country’s laws and engage public institutions peacefully when expressing grievances.

At IITA, the delegation discussed a proposed partnership to expand agricultural opportunities for young people and support the church’s farming activities.

Oyetunde said RCCG’s General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, had directed provinces and regions of the church to embrace farming as part of efforts to contribute to food production.

He disclosed that the church had about 165 hectares of land at Redemption Camp, as well as other arable land around Ijebu earmarked for agricultural activities.

According to him, RCCG has more than 50,000 parishes in Nigeria and runs feeding programmes that serve more than two million people every August and fewer than one million in December.

Oyetunde said the church wanted to establish an agricultural empowerment programme to help young people become food producers, entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

‘We want to establish a sustainable agricultural empowerment programme that will transform young adults and youths in RCCG from job seekers to food producers, entrepreneurs and employers of labour,’ he said.

He added that the church required technical expertise, agricultural technology, business incubation and institutional support to implement its agricultural plans.

Adetola Adenmosun, IITA’s Country Coordinator of Youths in Agribusiness, identified access to land and markets as major challenges facing young people interested in agriculture.

She said access to land was particularly difficult for women in some parts of the country, adding that women accounted for about 80 per cent of participation in some IITA programmes.

Adenmosun also stressed the need to connect agricultural training with market opportunities to enable young people to establish sustainable businesses.

She said IITA considered market demand when organising training programmes to ensure that participants produced goods for which there were established markets.

Another IITA representative from the business development unit advised RCCG to adopt a phased approach to the proposed programme, noting that the church’s 165 hectares of land would require careful planning.

The representative also recommended that the programme should include mentorship, practical support and marketing arrangements.

The delegation included Pastor Fabulous Oluwabusiwa, Pastor-in-Charge of Province (PICP), Youth Province 4; Pastor Wole Akindele, Assistant Pastor-in-Charge of Province (APICP); Pastor Oyesanmi James, Regional Youth Evangelist, Region 21; Pastor Oluwafemi Oladele, Central Operations Officer; and Pastor Daniel Nwoji, Director of Programs, and Victory Adudu, Director of Prayer.

Others were Pastor Moses Oladimeji, Regional Youth Pastor, Region 42; Pastor David Olagunju, Regional Youth Pastor, Region 21; Pastor Enoch Olatunji, Area Coordinator, Youth Province, C12; and Ayotunde Folahan, Assistant Director of Media, NYAYA.

The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) on Sunday urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon his re-election bid in the 2027 general elections and allow a younger generation to take over, alleging that he no longer possesses the stamina required to lead a country like Nigeria.

MDPCO is the presidential campaign organisation of the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde.

The organisation said the Presidency was a demanding office that required physical strength, energy and the capacity to provide effective leadership, adding that Tinubu should not continue to hold on to power when he allegedly lacked the capacity to discharge its responsibilities.

The Director of Strategic Communications of the MDPCO, Mr Richard Ihediwa, stated this in Abuja while reacting to the President’s continued foreign trips, including his latest visit to Mecca for prayers, weeks after returning from a vacation in France.

Ihediwa alleged that Tinubu could not withstand the rigours of political campaigning and had to travel to Mecca for prayers after delivering what he described as a brief and incoherent speech at the sparsely attended flag-off of his re-election campaign in Kaduna last week.

Ihediwa noted: ‘President Tinubu is no longer strong. He does not have the stamina to continue in office. It’s a natural tendency. All of us wish and pray to grow old, but we cannot continue to insist on holding office even when we no longer have the capacity, capability and stamina to effectively perform in the office.

‘So, President Tinubu should quit and allow a younger generation to take over. The Presidency is not a retirement home. It is a very demanding office that requires a lot of stamina.

‘Nigeria has been racing backwards in the last three and a half years because we have a president who is not able to lead from the front, who cannot physically oversee governance.

‘President Tinubu at his age is not attuned to the aspirations of the contemporary world. He cannot invest in current technologies because these things would be confusing to him.

‘So, President Tinubu should take the back seat and allow younger hands, like our presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to take over for the next four years to Reset Nigeria with an all-inclusive government of national unity.’

The MDPCO spokesman argued that Makinde possessed the experience, preparedness and energy required to work round the clock and deliver on his promises to Nigerians.

According to him, the country needs a president who can travel across the country, spend quality time with citizens and remain actively engaged in governance, including working into the early hours of the morning.

‘Nigeria needs a president who can travel to every part of the country, spend quality time with citizens and remain actively engaged in governance, even into the early hours of the morning.

‘This explains the enthusiastic reception accorded Makinde, his running mate, Lawal Daura, and the entire campaign train by Nigerians across the North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-South, South-West and South-East geopolitical zones.

‘I want to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians to sustain the momentum, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and vote out President Tinubu if he fails to heed our counsel and withdraw from the 2027 presidential race,’ he added.

On the Federal Government’s announcement of a monthly N50,000 payment to vulnerable households under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention, Ihediwa described the initiative as a failed attempt to induce voters.

He maintained that the intervention would not sway Nigerians from their determination to vote Tinubu out of office in 2027.

The spokesman went on: ‘Such panic-driven financial measures cannot save President Tinubu and the APC from defeat. You can see that the APC was defeated in the Osun State governorship election despite the amount of money that they deployed.

‘Again, if you look at the APC campaign flag-off in Kaduna, where over N2tn was reportedly spent to mobilise Nigerians, the campaign still flopped. This is an indication that, despite the APC government’s attempts to induce voters, Nigerians are resolute in their determination to vote out President Tinubu in January 2027.’

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, has said the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has united politicians across the territory and secured the political future of the political class.

Yamawo stated this on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting for the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and the unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

The gathering brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen, indigenous communities and residents, who endorsed Tinubu for a second term, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT senatorial seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North Federal Constituency and a former Kwali Area Council Chairman, Danladi Chiya, for Abuja South Federal Constituency.

He said the ceremony was to reaffirm the commitment and support of stakeholders for the APC and President Tinubu’s second-term bid.

‘This ceremony, as the first speaker rightly noted, is to reaffirm our commitment and support for my party, the APC,’ Yamawo said.

He expressed gratitude to the minister for fostering political cooperation in the FCT, noting that it was the first time such a level of unity was being witnessed.

‘I want to tell the indigenous people and residents of Abuja that the APC is grateful. We are grateful because we have a leader who has united politicians across the FCT. That leader is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,’ he said.

‘He has secured the political future of the political class in the FCT. This is the first time we are witnessing such a level of political cooperation, where one party is willing to work with another,’ he added.

According to him, Wike has shown that politics can be played without bitterness and that political parties can work together for mutual success.

‘Mr Minister, I am grateful, and the APC is grateful to have you as our minister in the FCT,’ he said, adding that the party was proud of the development the minister had brought to the territory.

Yamawo said he was overwhelmed with joy at the level of unity displayed at the meeting.

‘Honourable Minister, I do not want to speak for too long because I am overwhelmed with joy. In the past, I would probably have broken down in tears, but I don’t know how to cry, Mr Minister. I would have done so this afternoon because I am filled with happiness,’ he said.

‘We are grateful to you for uniting the political class in the FCT and bringing us together to work as one,’ he said.

He assured that, with Wike serving as coordinator of the presidential campaign in the FCT, stakeholders believed they had an experienced pilot to steer the campaign to success.

‘By the grace of God, as the first speaker rightly observed, political stakeholders have come together to reaffirm their commitment and endorsement. We want to assure you that with you serving as the coordinator of the presidential campaign in the FCT, we believe we already have an experienced pilot who will successfully steer the affairs of the campaign,’ Yamawo said.

His PDP counterpart, Samaila Muhammad Dogara, also backed the initiative, saying Tinubu’s decision to appoint a minister from outside the FCT political establishment had given the territory a stronger voice in the Federal Government.

Also speaking, the President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, described the endorsement as a historic initiative that brought together indigenous communities and residents across political and religious divides.

Kwali attributed the growing confidence in the FCT Administration to Wike’s leadership and development efforts, particularly the road linking Uje, Gwagwalada, Ruruwoshi and Abaji.

He disclosed that members had made personal financial contributions, including from their life savings, after an anticipated source of funding failed to materialise shortly before the programme.

He explained that the FCT Stakeholders Assembly was neither a political party nor a religious organisation, but an umbrella body representing political parties, religious groups, indigenous communities and residents.

‘We are a coalition of interests, and the interest is inclusive development of the Federal Capital Territory,’ he said.

Responding, Wike explained that the Rainbow Coalition was designed to unite political parties behind Tinubu without compelling them to abandon their respective political identities.

He commended the FCT chairmen of the APC and PDP for supporting the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to promote political cooperation beyond party affiliations.

A new study has raised concerns over the stigmatisation and mistreatment of people living with dementia in some African communities, revealing that affected individuals are sometimes hidden, locked indoors, neglected and physically abused because of misconceptions about the condition.

The study found that some community members associate dementia with madness, witchcraft, evil spirits, curses and punishment for past wrongdoing, rather than recognising it as a health condition requiring appropriate care and support.

Titled ‘They are mad and must be hidden or locked away’: A qualitative study of community members’ perceptions of dementia from African countries participating in the READD-ADSP Project, the research examined dementia-related knowledge and beliefs in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

Published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Behaviour and Socioeconomics of Aging on October 15, 2026, the study was conducted by researchers including Eniola O. Cadmus, Oyedunni Arulogun, Michelle Nichols and Olorunyomi Felix Olorunsogbon.

The researchers conducted 10 focus group discussions involving 83 Community Advisory Board members across the three countries. Nigeria accounted for 66 participants, while Ghana and Cameroon had 10 and seven, respectively.

According to the findings, participants could identify symptoms such as forgetfulness, confusion, aggression and wandering. However, their understanding of the nature and causes of dementia varied considerably.

While some associated the condition with normal ageing, others attributed it to supernatural forces, including witchcraft and spiritual affliction.

The researchers also identified a language barrier, noting that some African languages lack specific terms for dementia. Consequently, community members sometimes use expressions associated with madness, childishness and foolishness to describe the condition, potentially reinforcing stigma and discrimination.

On the treatment of affected individuals, participants reported cases of families locking relatives indoors to prevent them from wandering. Other accounts involved withholding food, neglect and physical abuse.

Some families reportedly concealed relatives living with dementia because they considered their behaviour embarrassing or feared judgement from the community.

The researchers said forms of mistreatment varied across the study locations but were reported in all three countries.

The findings also suggested that limited awareness and the absence of appropriate local terminology could discourage families from seeking professional help, further isolating affected individuals.

To address the problem, the researchers called for culturally appropriate dementia education and the development of non-stigmatising local expressions for the condition.

They recommended involving religious and traditional leaders, community associations and other trusted institutions in awareness campaigns. They also proposed training Community Advisory Board members as ‘Dementia Champions’ to educate residents, challenge harmful beliefs and promote supportive attitudes.

Additionally, the study recommended integrating dementia awareness into existing community health programmes, including those addressing hypertension, diabetes and brain health, alongside stronger caregiver support and community-based care services.

The researchers stressed the need for policies that would enable older people living with dementia to receive appropriate care while remaining in familiar environments, where possible.

The study, however, involved only 83 Community Advisory Board members selected through convenience sampling. Its findings provide insight into participants’ perceptions and experiences but cannot establish how widespread the reported attitudes and practices are across the three countries.

The researchers called for culturally sensitive approaches that would challenge harmful beliefs, protect the dignity of people living with dementia and improve support for their families and caregivers.

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has rallied the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), traditional rulers and stakeholders in Ebonyi State to openly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru ahead of the 2027 general election.

Umahi, who spoke on Sunday in Abakaliki, the state capital, during a town hall meeting organised by the Directorate of Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said religious and traditional leaders should not sit on the fence.

According to him, leaders in other zones are not sitting on the fence.

‘I want to tell our religious leaders and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), do not stay on the fence. I know when I was struggling to be governor, CAN took a decision and said justice must prevail. CAN don’t keep quiet, let us toe the path that must sustain our freedom.

‘Traditional fathers, do not stay on the fence, religious leaders, do not stay on the fence. Our people in the North do not, our people in the South-West, they do not. Guide our people, let them know what,’ he said.

The Minister declared that there is no presidential candidate in the South-East in the 2027 election, dismissing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Mr Peter Obi, from the zone as ‘nobody.’

He said Obi was not better than some prominent persons in Ebonyi, including himself, former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Minister of Education, Senator Sam Egwu, and former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Chief Elias Mbam.

Umahi urged the people of the state and the South-East to deliver President Tinubu in 2027 to be able to lay claim to the presidency when it is their turn.

‘There is no way an Igbo man after staying for 60 years will want to be president for four years. There is nobody that can accept that. The North has not accepted to be president for four years.

‘An Igbo man needs wisdom, not sentiments. Today, our people in commerce, we clear our goods with ease. Today, our roads are being revived in the path of economic activities.

‘Today, we can boldly say we have been integrated. The last time they were choosing service chiefs, it was Naval Chief. This time, it is Chief of Air Staff, Minister of Works, other ministers, SSAs, what else? When I say South-East has been fully integrated and included, I mean it,’ he stated.

He added: ‘We are supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to finish his remaining four years so that the South-East would have strategically supported another region. So that when it is our turn, we will not get this thing by hate speeches, they will not give to us by sentiments. It is strategic.’

The former Governor boasted that Ebonyi will deliver 1.3 million votes out of its 1.8 million registered voters for Tinubu and Nwifuru.

‘We have 1.8 million registered voters in Ebonyi State. Let me tell you, if we are not donating 1.3 million votes for the President, for the Governor, we are doing ourselves disservice,’ Umahi said.

He said he cannot sit and watch another party produce a governor in the state, describing those who think they can defeat Governor Nwifuru as jokers.

The troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, including a high-profile Shura Council member, Abu Hajara; a prominent commander, Abul Walid; and two high-ranking Arab fighters during a fierce encounter in Kukawa, Borno State.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Mohammed Goni.

The statement explained that the operation, which took place on 31 October 2026, dealt a significant blow to the leadership structure and operational capacity of the terrorist group following an attempted attack on military positions in the area.

According to the statement, the terrorists launched a massive assault on troops’ locations in Kukawa but were successfully repelled through coordinated ground and air operations.

The statement identified Abul Walid as a prominent ISWAP commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali, while Abu Hajara was described as a high-profile member of its Shura Council.

It pointed out that the gallant troops deployed superior firepower, supported by air assets of the Nigerian military, to defeat the attackers and inflicted significant casualties on the terrorist fighters.

It further added that, following the successful engagement, the troops recovered several arms, ammunition and communication devices believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

The statement explained that the Kukawa operation came barely three days after another major military offensive in Buni Yadi, where troops reportedly neutralised 55 terrorists, including prominent commanders Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri, also known as Munzir; Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk; and Commander Gogore.

It added that the successive engagements underscored the military’s sustained offensive against ISWAP and other terrorist groups operating across the North-East, with particular focus on dismantling their leadership structures and disrupting their operational networks.

It further explained that the Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and sustaining operations aimed at eliminating terrorist elements and destroying their camps across the region.

It also assured that troops would maintain the pressure on insurgent groups until their operational capabilities are dismantled and lasting security restored across the theatre.

The Founder and Presiding Bishop of Victory International Church, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, has stressed the need for people to persevere, be unrelenting and remain hopeful while striving to achieve their set goals.

Adelakun made this known in his sermon, titled ‘The Story and the Goal’, at the thanksgiving service heralding the commencement of the Diamond Jubilee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, at Victory International Church, Wonder City, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on Sunday.

The service, held at Wonder City, attracted journalists from across Oyo State, led by the State Council Chairman, Mr Akeem Abas, alongside members of the State Executive Council, chapel leaders and executives of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

He reflected on his personal and ministerial journey, highlighting the challenges, struggles and experiences that preceded the achievements and the glory of God in his life.

The cleric, who spoke on the different phases of life he and his wife had experienced, emphasised the importance of gratitude to God, regardless of prevailing circumstances.

He urged the congregation to remain unrelenting, steadfast and focused, and to avoid discouragement, stressing that stagnation could hinder progress and that every stage of life had its appointed time for fulfilment.

According to him, people should not give up on themselves or become overwhelmed by life’s challenges, noting that God makes everything beautiful in its time, even though many people may fail to understand or recognise the appropriate timing of their blessings.

Bishop Adelakun further encouraged the congregation to maintain faith in God, exercise patience and appreciate His goodness throughout their individual journeys.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ, Oyo State Council, Mr Akeem Abas, described the 60th anniversary as a significant milestone in the history of the union, recalling that the Oyo State Council was the first NUJ state council to be established in Nigeria.

Abas said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the council’s historical contributions to journalism and its commitment to upholding professionalism, ethical conduct and legal standards in the practice of journalism.

He expressed gratitude to Almighty God for His protection over journalists in the state, while praying for continued divine guidance, protection and wisdom for members of the union.

The thanksgiving service formally ushered in activities lined up to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the NUJ, Oyo State Council, as journalists celebrate six decades of professional practice, institutional growth and service to society.

Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs effectively. The condition can develop slowly over time or become worse within a short period.

As the heart struggles to keep up, fluid can build up in the lungs and other parts of the body, while reduced blood flow can leave a person tired and weak.

Some symptoms may be mild at first and easily mistaken for normal tiredness or aging. Recognising the warning signs early can help a person get medical attention before the condition becomes more serious.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights 9 signs that may occur with heart failure.

Shortness of breath

One of the most common symptoms is difficulty breathing. At first, a person may become breathless while walking, climbing stairs or doing activities that previously caused no problem. As heart failure progresses, the breathlessness may occur with less activity and, in more severe cases, even while resting.

Fluid accumulating in the lungs can make it harder to breathe normally. Not every case of breathlessness is caused by heart failure. Asthma, lung infections, anaemia and other conditions can also cause it. However, unexplained or worsening breathlessness should be medically assessed.

Swelling of the feet and ankles

When the heart is not pumping effectively, the body may retain more fluid. This can cause swelling , particularly around the feet, ankles and lower legs. The swelling may become more noticeable towards the end of the day. Shoes or socks that normally fit comfortably may suddenly feel tight.

Leg swelling has many possible causes, including problems with the veins, kidneys or liver, so it should not automatically be assumed to be heart failure. However, swelling accompanied by breathlessness, rapid weight gain or increasing tiredness deserves medical attention.

Getting unusually tired or weak

A person with heart failure may find that ordinary activities require much more effort than before. Walking to a nearby place, climbing stairs, shopping or doing household chores may leave the person unusually exhausted .

This can happen because the heart is not delivering enough blood and oxygen to the muscles and other tissues during activity. Fatigue is a common symptom of many health conditions, so it does not confirm heart failure on its own. Persistent or worsening tiredness should be discussed with a healthcare professional, particularly when it occurs alongside other symptoms.

Difficulty breathing when lying down

Some people with heart failure find it harder to breathe when they lie flat. They may need to sleep with several pillows or sit more upright before they can breathe comfortably. This symptom is known as orthopnoea.

It can happen because lying down changes the way blood and fluid are distributed in the body, which may increase pressure and congestion in the lungs. A new need to sleep sitting up or with significantly more pillows than usual should not be ignored.

Waking up suddenly at night because of breathlessness

Another warning sign is waking suddenly from sleep struggling to breathe. A person may feel the need to sit up, stand or move towards a window to catch their breath. This is known as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea.

It can occur when fluid shifts towards the chest after a person has been lying down for some time. Repeated episodes of waking at night with severe breathlessness require medical assessment, especially if they are becoming more frequent.

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

The heart may beat faster as it tries to compensate for reduced pumping ability.

Some people may notice a racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat. Heart failure can also occur alongside abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation.

Palpitations do not necessarily mean that a person has heart failure. They can also occur because of anxiety, certain medicines, anaemia, thyroid disorders and other conditions. However, a fast or irregular heartbeat accompanied by chest pain, fainting, severe weakness or serious breathlessness requires urgent medical attention.

Persistent cough or wheezing

A cough that does not go away can sometimes be linked to fluid congestion in the lungs.

Some people with heart failure may also experience wheezing. The symptoms may become worse when lying down or at night.

A persistent cough can have many causes, including infections, asthma and allergies. But when it occurs together with breathlessness, swelling or other signs of fluid retention, heart failure should be considered. Severe breathing difficulty or coughing up pink, frothy sputum is an emergency and requires immediate medical care.

Sudden increase in body weight

A quick increase in weight over a few days may sometimes be caused by fluid retention rather than an increase in body fat. For people already diagnosed with heart failure, regular weight monitoring can detect changes in fluid levels early.

A sudden increase in weight should be reported according to the instructions given by the person’s healthcare team. People who have not been diagnosed with heart failure but experience rapid unexplained weight gain, particularly together with swollen legs or breathlessness, should also seek medical advice.

Prominent veins in the neck

Heart failure can increase pressure in the veins returning blood to the heart. As a result, the veins in the neck may become more prominent. Doctors refer to this as jugular venous distension.

This is usually detected during a physical examination rather than something a person needs to diagnose at home. When present alongside other signs of fluid congestion, prominent neck veins can provide an important clue that the heart is struggling to handle blood returning to it.