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A former All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Kosofe Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives Remi Oluwalogbon Odunsi has intensified grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu the party’s Lagos governorship candidate Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and its candidate for Kosofe Federal Constituency Hon. Dele Osinowo ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Odunsi who lost the party’s ticket during the last primaries said the outcome would not discourage her from campaigning for the APC and its candidates.

Demonstrating what she described as political sportsmanship Odunsi who said she had been a member of the party since its inception launched a mobilisation campaign through her political platform Remi Odunsi Organisation (ROO).

The campaign involves door-to-door engagements across communities in Kosofe Federal Constituency to strengthen the party’s grassroots support and promote its candidates.

The ROO team visited Agboyi-Odo Maidan Maryland Ojota Ikosi-Isheri Magodo-Isheri and the Kosofe Arewa community among other areas.

Speaking on the initiative Odunsi said direct engagement with residents was important to raise political awareness and strengthen the relationship between elected leaders and the communities they represent.

She noted that door-to-door campaigns gave residents opportunities to express their expectations raise concerns and discuss issues affecting their daily lives.

According to her residents who participated in the engagements highlighted challenges such as inadequate electricity supply the need for inclusive governance and equitable distribution of democratic dividends.

Odunsi stressed that political mobilisation should not be limited to election periods adding that sustained engagement and effective communication were necessary to ensure ordinary residents’ concerns remain part of governance discussions.

She also emphasised the importance of community organisation and active citizenship noting that strong grassroots structures were essential for meaningful political participation and effective representation.

The organisation said it would continue its community outreach across Kosofe as the 2027 elections approach focusing on political awareness governance representation and community development.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC) has urged Nigerians and political commentators to assess President Bola Tinubu’s campaign promises on the power sector within their full context and against the administration’s achievements over the past three years.

The APC PCC spokesperson Dele Alake made the appeal in a statement on Sunday while responding to recent media discussions about Tinubu’s pre-election pledge to the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos to end estimated billing and address the country’s electricity challenges.

At the interactive session ahead of the 2023 general elections Tinubu had promised to ensure Nigerians received electricity without paying estimated bills.

‘Whichever way necessary you will have electricity and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term don’t vote for me unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver’ Tinubu had said.

Clarifying the President’s position Alake argued that recent public debates had selectively quoted the pledge while ignoring the qualification that accompanied it.

He said Tinubu had explicitly stated that he would provide a clear account of his performance and explain any outstanding challenges before seeking a second term.

The campaign council urged the public to consider the full statement rather than isolate parts of the President’s remarks when assessing his performance in the power sector.

‘A fair assessment of the pledge should consider the full statement alongside the administration’s record since 2023. This record should be assessed against measurable improvements in electricity supply metering infrastructure and market stability’ Alake stated.

‘While fixing the power sector crisis remains unfinished the President is working consistently to deliver on his promise to Nigerians and his commitment to face the challenges head-on has never diminished.’

Highlighting policy milestones the APC PCC spokesperson recalled that President Tinubu signed the Electricity Act 2023 within two weeks of assuming office effectively liberalising the sector and empowering subnational governments to generate transmit and distribute power.

Checks revealed that states including Lagos Enugu Abia Ekiti Oyo Kaduna and Niger have since established state regulatory bodies to attract private capital.

On financial interventions and legacy obligations the council revealed that the administration tackled over N6 trillion in accumulated legacy debts from 2015-2025 by establishing a N4 trillion bond programme to settle verified debts owed to 21 Power Generating Companies (Gencos) and Gas Companies (Gascos).

The first two tranches of the bond scheme have already raised over N1.2 trillion improving cash flow and enabling operators like Geregu Power Plc to invest in transformer capacity and plant upgrades.

The statement also detailed progress under the Presidential Metering Initiative which has metered over 1.5 million customers to date in a bid to close the country’s 7 million metering gap while the Rural Electrification Agency continues to expand solar power installations across universities hospitals and rural communities.

Regarding grid infrastructure Alake pointed to ongoing execution under the Siemens-backed Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) which was restructured under an Acceleration Agreement signed in December 2023.

Following Federal Executive Council approvals for substation upgrades across key industrial load centres the administration approved an additional batch of project contracts in June 2026 for eight new substations and four major upgrades.

Acknowledging the commercial delicate balance between cost-reflective tariffs and social protection Alake explained that the introduction of Service Bands helped stabilise distribution companies financially while curbing federal tariff subsidies.

‘Fixing the electricity market and power sector is ongoing work’ Alake added. ‘President Tinubu has not deviated an inch from his commitment. As he seeks Nigerians’ mandate for a second term in office he will proudly present his scorecard in the power sector and clearly tell Nigerians what remains to be done.’

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State Chief Warman Ogoriba has dismissed as baseless claims by Bayelsa PDP Chairman Alabh Turnah of Governor Douye Diri’s lack of support for President Bola Tinubu re-election bid.

Ogoriba described the claim as not only baseless but also a clear sign of mental instability adding that his unguarded utterances make it obvious that he needs mental examination.

Speaking in his office in Yenagoa yesterday Ogoriba called on those around him to as a matter of urgency ensure that he is examined.

Ogoriba said Turnah’s penchant for lies was unfortunate saying it is laughable that anyone could imagine that Governor Diri was not backing the re-election bid of President Tinubu as his actions and utterances prove beyond any reasonable doubt that he is in the forefront of the campaign for the President’s re-election.

The APC chairman also rubbished claims by Turnah that the governor was not supporting the City Boys Movement in the state insisting that he does not know the workings of the support group which Diri has been supporting in different ways including his physical appearance at the group’s events.

Ogoriba also described as frivolous figures put out by Turnah as the amount the state government spent to organise the 30th anniversary celebration of the state and urged the good people of Bayelsa to ignore his rantings.

He said Turnah does not have the character and capacity to win a single polling unit for his party in the forthcoming general election.

Ogoriba further stated that it was unfortunate that Turnah who was a beneficiary of Governor Diri’s benevolence could turn around to bite the fingers that fed him and called on security agencies to caution him to desist from insulting the leader of the APC in Bayelsa stressing that campaigns should be issue-based and not an opportunity to heat up the polity with baseless claims.

He declared that in Bayelsa there was nothing like Rainbow Coalition maintaining that the APC has the required structure to deliver President Tinubu and all its candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Professor Etannibi Alemika a retired Professor of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Jos has called for a shift from reactive government interventions to proactive strategies for resolving conflicts in Nigeria.

He warned that the country’s failure to develop effective mechanisms for managing conflicts had contributed to the spread and persistence of violence.

Alemika made the call at the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa conference on peace and conflict resolution in Nigeria in Abuja.

In his presentation Peace and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria: Rethinking Strategies for Sustainable Peace he said conflict was not inherently destructive but could promote development when managed through non-violent engagement and constructive dialogue.

He explained that conflicts became destructive when they involved violence and resistance to negotiation and mediation aimed at rational mutually beneficial outcomes.

Alemika attributed many conflicts in Nigeria to competition for access to and control of resources noting that ethnic and religious identities sometimes concealed the underlying interests driving violence.

He also identified the activities of conflict entrepreneurs whom he said conceived financed and executed violence among ethnic religious and communal groups for personal benefit.

According to him some of these actors subsequently emerged as negotiators with government and gained recognition and access to resources allocated for managing conflicts.

The professor noted that despite the existence of institutions academic research centres and civil society organisations with expertise in peace and conflict resolution Nigeria’s dominant approach remained reactive rather than preventive.

He said governments often pursued negative peace through ad hoc interventions instead of developing policies and strategies that could sustain positive peace.

Alemika also identified inadequate collaboration among government civil society organisations and other stakeholders as a major obstacle to effective conflict resolution.

He urged greater cooperation among stakeholders hoping the conference would identify practical solutions and outline implementation strategies to achieve sustainable peace in Nigeria.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has defended the N70000 monthly transport allowance agreed with the Federal Government.

The union insisted that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) was not part of the negotiations that produced the agreement.

In a circular signed by its National Secretary Gbenga Olowoyo the council said the six-month allowance effective from this month was intended to cushion the impact of rising transport costs on public servants.

The agreement was reached on October 27 after more than six hours of negotiations chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment Mohammed Dingyadi with the participation of the Nigeria Labour Congress JNPSNC and the Joint Health Sector Unions.

The council also said the agreement provided for a 40 per cent peculiar allowance reflecting the N70000 minimum wage to be implemented across federal state and local government levels from November 2026. Arrears dating from May 1 2026 are to be paid in three instalments.

It added that the government had agreed to establish a tripartite negotiation committee involving the government organised labour and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association.

On the TUC’s rejection of the transport allowance the council said the congress was not involved in the negotiations but remained free to pursue a higher allowance through its own engagements with the government.

The agreement also directed the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission to complete work on adjusting the Consolidated Health Salary Structure within three weeks and submit its recommendations to the Presidential Committee on Salaries.

The council said it would pay outstanding health workers’ allowances covering 19 months in three instalments beginning in December 2026. It added that the commission had also been directed to issue a circular on hazard allowance for agricultural professional officers within three weeks.

On tax relief the JNPSNC said it would forward the proposal to the National Economic Council for consideration because it involved both federal and state governments.

It said the parties would reconvene within one month to review the implementation of the agreement urging governments at all levels to honour their commitments.

The council maintained that the TUC’s opposition to the transport allowance would not affect the implementation of the agreement.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved the constitution of the Abia State Labour Party Campaign Advisory Council for the 2027 general elections.

Amongst the arrowheads is the former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development under President Muhammadu Buhari Uche Ogah.

The Campaign Advisory Council will be inaugurated today as part of activities marking the formal kick-off of the Labour Party Governorship Campaign commencing with a Church Service at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The Campaign Advisory Council comprises seasoned party leaders technocrats and stakeholders drawn from across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.

The Council to be chaired by former Deputy Governor of the state Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu also has other members including Ideh John Udeagbala Owelle Greg Okafor Prof. Charles Chinekezi Dr. G. C. Duru Hon. Uzoma N. Ndukuba Aba South: Hon. Uche Wogu Chief Leo Ike Okoye Engnr. Chinedu Onyeizu Arochukwu: Chief Joe Ezearo Mazi Jude Nwosu Engnr Kalu Ntoh Mazi Donatus Okorie Chief Daniel Okeke Prince Eric Aso Kalu Bende: Chief Johnson Chukwu Dr. Paschal Nnamso Kalu Hon. Sunday Ugwa Hon. Ukwu Rocks Emma Ikwuano: Dr. Monday Ubani SAN.

Others include Chief Mark Okezie Chinyere Mr. Collins Chiemela Abraham Isialangwa North: Chief Ncheta Omerekpe Hon. Cyprian Nwankwo Chief. Reagan Uformba Isialangwa South: Prof. ACB Agbazuere Chief Victor Amuta Elder Chinagorom Nwankpa Sen. Bob Nwannunu Dr. Elelenta N. Elele Isuikwuato: Dr. Uche Ogah CON Mr. Ken Ahia SAN Mrs. Stella Enyiocha Chief Ray Nkemdirim MFR Dr. Onyinye Rufus Obi Obingwa: Chief Eziuche Ubani Hon. Michael Ibe Nwoke Engr. Stanley Egege Engr. John Osuagwu Mr. Friday Alozie Ohafia: Chief Leslie Ezeikpe Chief Umeh Kalu SAN Rt. Hon. Arua Arunsi Chief Jackson Agbai Chief Uduma Kalu Osisioma: Engnr. Enyinnaya Nwafor Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu Rt. Hon. Bishop Kennedy Njoku Chief Job Iwehee Ugwunagbo: Chief Innocent Nwogwugwu Chief Goodluck Nkaraonye Dr. Ezebunwa Ubani Ukwa East: Lady Chinedu Brown Amb. Okey Emuchay Chief Nkem Eruba Bar. Idris Wabara Ukwa West: Rt. Hon. Ngozi Ulunwa Sir P.C. Agomuo Hon. Godwin Adiele Umuahia North: Chief Uzodinma Okpara Mrs. Onyinye Ralph Nwachukwu Sir Peter Nwoko Bar. G. I. Chionye Hon. Clement Onyeoziri Umuahia South: Sen. Chris Adighije Hon. Udo Ibeji Engr. Chikezie Nwosu Arc. Benson Ezem Dr. Martin Umeh Umunneochi: Hon. Jasper Uche Chief Fabian Nwankwo Chief Achu Michael Achu Hon. Uche Okoroafor Hon. Eze Ibe Hon. Ike Orika Amb. Osita Offor.

The governor congratulated all members of the Advisory Council and urged them to bring their wealth of experience dedication and grassroots reach to bear in ensuring a resounding victory for the Labour Party in the 2027 general elections.

Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has joined the Rainbow Coalition the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has disclosed.

Anyanwu who described Okorocha’s decision to embrace the coalition as a welcome development urged Imo people to join the political movement which he said was formed to change the political narrative in the state.

He made the disclosure at the weekend while addressing supporters in Ikeduru Local Government Area during the reception organised for the PDP Imo East Senatorial candidate Prince Eze Madumere.

Anyanwu who identified himself as the Imo State Coordinator of the Rainbow Coalition said the platform brought together political stakeholders across party lines including members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pool their political structures towards what he described as rescuing the state.

He said: ‘The Rainbow Coalition has come to stay in Imo State. There is nothing anyone can do. Those causing disaffection and fanning the embers of discord do so at their own detriment.

‘For us in the PDP the aim is not to cause political disharmony or heighten tension in Imo State. The coalition was formed to rescue the people from the grip of selfishness greed and insensitive administration that has inflicted pains on our people.’

The PDP national secretary said the increasing number of people expressing interest in joining the coalition reflected growing dissatisfaction with the current administration in the state.

He added that the coalition was managing the influx of interested members from different political parties insisting that its activities would remain within the ambit of the law.

‘The number of people interested in joining the coalition is increasing daily and we are tactically managing the surge. This is evidence that Imo people are set to be liberated from the shackles of maladministration and inhuman governance’ he said.

Anyanwu further alleged that the state was sliding under the three-R administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma urging residents to take their destinies into their hands by speaking out against what he described as injustice insecurity and poor governance.

He called on political stakeholders and residents to work collectively towards changing the political direction of the state warning against actions capable of causing further hardship and instability.

The PDP chieftain maintained that the coalition’s objective was to bring together opposition figures and other political interests to challenge the APC-led government in Imo State.

Efforts to obtain Okorocha’s reaction to Anyanwu’s claim were unsuccessful as his media adviser Sam Onwuemeodo had yet to respond to a message sent to him as at the time of filing this report.

APM Terminals Nigeria has called for improved port infrastructure efficient cargo evacuation and stronger public-private partnerships to enhance trade boost productivity and drive Nigeria’s economic growth.

Its Chief Executive Officer Koen De Backker made the call at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #32) in Abuja.

Speaking during a plenary session De Backker said ports were critical to facilitating trade moving cargo and creating economic value.

‘Our job is to facilitate trade to be an enabler for cargo to move in and out of the port and to create wealth and prosperity for the population of Nigeria’ he said.

He identified capacity constraints and prolonged container dwell time at terminals as major challenges affecting port efficiency stressing the need to expand cargo evacuation options beyond road transport.

De Backker advocated greater use of barges and rail to ease pressure on road infrastructure and improve cargo movement.

He cited APM Terminals’ logistics centre in Ibadan where export cargo is consolidated and stuffed into containers before being transported by rail to the terminal as an example of how alternative transport systems could improve cargo flows.

The chief executive also called for the modernisation of ageing port infrastructure noting that technology specialised expertise and investment were necessary to increase capacity and operational efficiency.

He said private sector participation should not be viewed simply as privatisation but as an opportunity to bring in expertise and modernise port facilities.

‘Professionalising the infrastructure modernising and getting experts in’ he said describing the benefits of private sector involvement.

De Backker also stressed the importance of collaboration among port operators government agencies the Nigeria Customs Service and clearing agents to improve port operations.

He cited the deployment of cargo scanners through collaboration with Customs as an example of how technology could reduce reliance on physical examination of containers while improving efficiency and security.

According to him the initiative helped reduce import container dwell time from 18 to 14 days in the example discussed allowing importers to access their cargo faster and reduce associated costs.

At the summit Vice President Kashim Shettima who delivered President Bola Tinubu’s address said improving productivity was essential to translating economic reforms into prosperity.

‘Our pursuit of prosperity demands greater productivity from every worker enterprise and investment’ he said.

He added that the Federal Government would continue efforts to reduce regulatory burdens strengthen transparency and policy predictability and expand access to finance.

Also speaking Olaniyi Yusuf Chairman of the Economic Summit Group said the summit’s theme ‘Growth That Works: Delivering Jobs Productivity and Shared Prosperity’ reflected the need for economic growth to create value expand opportunities and improve living standards.

He said the next phase of economic reforms should prioritise lower production costs reliable infrastructure productive investment and more effective public expenditure.

The summit brought together government officials private-sector leaders and other stakeholders to discuss strategies to advance Nigeria’s economic development.

Two scholarship beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Joy Jonny and Prince-Timothy Wokoma have graduated with distinctions and cash awards from British universities highlighting the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s investment in education and human capital development in the Niger Delta.

Jonny won the George and Lilian Adam Smith Prize at the University of Aberdeen along with a £500 cash award for achieving the highest dissertation mark.

In a letter dated October 28 2026 the Head of the School of Social Sciences Prof. Joanne McEvoy congratulated Jonny on her outstanding academic performance.

The letter stated ‘I am delighted to be able to confirm that your achievement is to be recognised through the award of the George and Lilian Adam Smith Prize. The prize of £500 is awarded to the student with the highest dissertation mark’.

Wokoma meanwhile graduated as the best overall student in the Agriculture and Environmental Science programme and received a £100 award from his university.

Congratulating him the institution said in a letter: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the award which recognises your hard work and commitment to your studies. The award is only made for performance of sufficient merit so you have done an excellent job. Well done!’

Reacting to the achievements the Media Director of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) Bayelsa State chapter Engr. Udengs Eradiri described them as evidence of the dividends of the Tinubu administration’s deliberate investment in the Niger Delta through the PAP.

Eradiri a former President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide said available statistics showed that the PAP had sponsored more than 9000 Niger Delta scholarship beneficiaries within and outside Nigeria under Tinubu.

He added that the programme had produced more than 111 master’s and doctoral graduates alongside numerous first-class and second-class honours graduates under the administration.

Eradiri commended the PAP Administrator Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro for leveraging Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to develop an educational template focused on closing the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta.

He said Otuaro had remained focused and committed to leading a purpose-driven PAP free from distractions contract controversies and allegations of fund mismanagement.

According to him Tinubu’s commitment to releasing funds required for the programme’s activities has helped eliminate protests that previously characterised the scheme’s operations.

He said ‘We commend Otuaro for reforming PAP and redirecting the programme’s focus on closing the human capital needs of the Niger Delta. PAP under Tinubu has produced a critical mass of employable Niger Delta indigenes.

‘Tinubu inherited PAP at a time when there was a debate about scrapping the programme because of its past failures. But because of his love for the Niger Delta the President chose to sustain and reform it to deliver development and prosperity to the region.

‘With the feat already attained by PAP it is crystal clear that President Tinubu has the best interest of the Niger Delta at heart. He has demonstrated commitment and sincerity in addressing one of the critical needs of the Niger Delta which is human capital development’.

Eradiri said the programme’s achievements made Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 imperative arguing that the President has shown a clear commitment to the region’s sustainable development.

He urged Niger Delta stakeholders to reject candidates making what he described as unrealistic promises and to mobilise support for Tinubu’s second term.

‘The examples of Joy and Wokoma are evidence that President Tinubu’s massive investments in Niger Delta education through the PAP are yielding the expected benefits.

‘He has been tested and trusted in the Niger Delta. He has a template for the sustainable development of our region. This is no time to experiment with other candidates who are making bogus and unrealistic claims. It is time for all stakeholders to mobilise massively for Tinubu’s re-election to enable him to consolidate the gains in the Niger Delta.’

The Delta State Government has threatened sanctions against the contractor handling the Orere River Bridge and Edjekota-Ewu-Orere Road projects in Ughelli South Local Government Area over the slow pace of work.

The government said the level of progress recorded so far was unsatisfactory warning that it would take appropriate action if the contractor failed to improve performance.

The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads) Comrade Reuben Izeze gave the warning yesterday during an inspection of the projects accompanied by engineers from the ministry.

Izeze expressed displeasure with the level of activity at the sites accusing the contractor of failing to demonstrate the commitment required to deliver the projects within the expected timelines.

He said the contractor could no longer hide behind the rainy season to justify the slow progress insisting that the situation observed during the inspection was far from acceptable.

The commissioner stated: ‘As far as I am concerned the contractor is not on site and I must express my strong displeasure with its attitude and pace of work.

‘When the rain was falling heavily that was the excuse. But today the rain can no longer be an excuse because I am not satisfied with what I am seeing.

‘It seems this contractor is taking advantage of its relationship with the state government and that is unacceptable to us.’

He noted that the Oborevwori administration had consistently supported indigenous contractors to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the state’s infrastructure development.

He however stressed that government support must be matched with commitment diligence and timely delivery warning that no contractor would be allowed to take such assistance for granted.

Izeze also accused the contractor of only putting up appearances whenever officials of the Ministry of Works visited the project sites rather than maintaining consistent construction activities.

According to him the government is no longer prepared to accept a situation where contractors mobilised workers and equipment merely to impress inspection teams.

‘This contractor is one of those that have received the full backing of this administration in a bid to encourage indigenous contractors. He has received every form of encouragement.

‘We have come here after the rain to see this kind of window dressing to make it appear as though they have been busy. For me it is unacceptable. We have gone beyond the stage of window dressing and trying to be on site only whenever the contractor hears that ministry officials are coming for inspection’ he said.

The commissioner directed the contractor’s representative to convey the government’s displeasure to the company’s management warning that another unsatisfactory inspection could trigger a recommendation for appropriate sanctions.

‘I want the representative of the contractor to pass this message to their principal that if we come here next time and witness this type of situation we will have no option but to make the appropriate recommendation to our boss in Asaba’ he warned.

He said the projects had already exceeded the period within which they ought to have made significant progress adding that the government would not continue to tolerate delays at the expense of residents who urgently need the infrastructure.

The Orere River Bridge project which includes access roads and a spur in Orere Town was awarded to the contractor on January 27 2021 at an initial cost of N9.85 billion. The contract sum was subsequently reviewed to N32.45 billion.

The same contractor is also handling the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the Edjekota-Ewu-Orere Road awarded on September 3 2026 at a cost of N6.92 billion.

The road project was formally mobilised on September 10 2026 with a scheduled completion date of March 10 2028.