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Rivers women have thrown their weight behind the Rainbow Coalition congratulating its unveiled candidates and expressing optimism that the ongoing political reconciliation in the state will promote unity and peaceful conduct ahead of the general election.

The women under the Rivers Women Unite Organisation and the Central Planning Committee of the Women Converge commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for their roles in fostering peace among political leaders.

The committee which made the remarks during its monthly prayer session in Port Harcourt at the weekend announced that the 2026 Women Converge would hold on November 26 in the Garden City.

The group expressed solidarity with Fubara saying it had consistently supported his decisions and welcomed initiatives aimed at restoring unity within the political family.

The women in a statement by the Communications Officer of RWUS and RWUOG Glory Sunday expressed confidence that the reconciliation would strengthen togetherness reduce political tension and promote the peace and development of the state.

The committee said this year’s Women Converge would bring together women from different backgrounds religious leaders and other participants for prayers praise thanksgiving reflection and fellowship.

According to the committee the gathering will provide an opportunity to pray for the peace growth and development of Rivers State Nigeria and families across the country.

It urged women and other interested participants from within and outside Rivers State to attend expressing confidence that the event would strengthen faith unity and collective commitment to a peaceful and prosperous society.

The Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) have warned youths to eschew violence in the forthcoming general elections.

The groups said the elections was a litmus test for Nigeria’s unity and could not be traded for anything. They stated this at the inter-religious peace accord summit organised by the Youth Southwest Zonal in Lagos last Saturday.

The Chairman CAN Lagos State Bishop Stephen Adegbite said the accord was aimed at fostering religious tolerance rejecting political violence and promoting peaceful coexistence ahead of the elections.

Adegbite also faulted politicians making derogatory utterances against their political opponents saying the nation could not afford war at this period.

‘It is because we don’t have trust in one another and when there is no trust there Is room for acrimony and suspicious and bickering.

‘What we must do is what youths have done today both Christian and Muslims have done well to bring peace and restore confidence in our great nation.

‘It is also to say that we must work together in oneness and togetherness that is the only way we can achieve greatness to the glory of God.’

Adegbite urged the youths to first show the way so Nigerians would follow adding that the summit was to show the world that the two religions want peace in the elections during and after the election.

The CAN chairman said the two religious bodies did not want anyone to be killed for any elective position.

‘When you go into Romans 12:18 it tells us to live in peace with ourselves even in Qur’an there are verses that speak about peace’ he said .

Also speaking Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim the National Secretary NACOMYO explained that the peace accord was important to the Muslims youth in the country because they were approaching the general elections.

Ibrahim said with this peace accord they would make sure they preach peace across the country starting from the grassroots level.

The national secretary said this was where they would mobilise their youths to ensure there were no violence during the election.

He said they were still contacting the Imams so they could use Jumat service islamic schools and other islamic gathering to preach peace to islamic youths.

The APC Youth Leader Lagos State Mr Damilare Orimoloye said this peace accord summit was to let Nigerians youths understand that peace comes after there was misunderstanding.

‘Peace speaks against violence how to tolerate each other showing love amidst misunderstanding.

‘Certainly there will be misunderstanding as we move into the election period so we need to tolerate each other and to speak love to one another.’

In his words Mr Nnamdi Obasi the South West Chairman YOWICAN noted that the summit was significant because the inter-religious youths need to bridge the gaps between the Christians and the Muslim youths not to be used to fight one another.

He said: ‘For example in the North where the Muslims are killing the Christians and the Christians are also killing the Muslims.

‘We need to make youths understand that we are one for the same purpose while we are together on earth.’

Obasi advised the youth to let them remain united and love each other as brothers and sisters and not to allow politicians to cause conflict among them as the 2027 draw nearer.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged business leaders professionals and the media to help Nigerians understand the Federal Government’s economic reforms counter misinformation and build public confidence in the country’s economic direction.

He said the success of the reforms would depend not only on government policies but also on how effectively their objectives and benefits were communicated to citizens and how well the private sector and other stakeholders supported their implementation.

Shettima who spoke through his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs Dr. Tope Fasua at the Duke’s Masterclass 2026 in Abuja said the removal of fuel subsidy foreign exchange market liberalisation fiscal restructuring and efforts to increase government revenue were important steps towards building a stronger and more competitive economy.

The vice president said government must do more than announce policies stressing the need to explain their purpose provide credible evidence of progress and listen to the experiences of Nigerians the changes have affected.

He said the reforms were intended to create an environment where businesses could invest and expand investors could plan with greater confidence and public resources could be used more effectively.

‘The task is not merely to announce policies; it is to build understanding confidence and a shared sense of national purpose’ Shettima said.

The vice president urged professionals particularly members of the middle class and business community to take a more active role in explaining economic developments and helping citizens understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the reforms.

According to him their responsibility is neither to defend every government decision nor to dismiss public complaints but to encourage informed discussions based on facts and a proper understanding of the economy.

‘When you speak with a trader explain the opportunities that economic stability can create while acknowledging the pressures of daily business. When you engage a young graduate encourage enterprise and innovation while recognising the urgency of employment’ he said.

Shettima said constructive criticism was necessary for good governance adding that citizens who understand the direction of economic policies would be better equipped to participate in emerging business and investment opportunities.

The vice president also urged Nigerians to be more careful about the type of information they circulate on social media warning that artificial intelligence has made it easier to manipulate photographs clone voices and produce fake videos capable of damaging reputations and misleading the public.

He said false information could reach millions of people within minutes sometimes long before the individuals or institutions concerned have an opportunity to establish the facts.

‘Today a rumour can travel from one phone to a million phones before the person concerned has finished breakfast’ he said.

Acknowledging that Nigeria’s growing digital communication network had created opportunities for businesses financial services young people and public participation Shettima warned that the same platforms could be used to spread falsehoods and manipulate public opinion.

The vice president urged public institutions and businesses to strengthen their ability to verify information correct false reports and communicate through channels that people trust.

He also cautioned against rushing to deny allegations without first establishing the facts saying an inaccurate response could damage an organisation as much as a delayed one.

‘The guiding principle should be simple: verify before publishing correct mistakes transparently communicate with empathy and allow evidence to speak’ Shettima said.

The vice president said public institutions could best protect their reputations through openness competence and integrity while businesses needed to earn customers’ confidence through dependable services and honest dealings.

He also urged Nigerians to develop the habit of questioning sensational reports before sharing them noting that the ability to verify information was becoming as important as access to it.

Focusing attention on the country’s economic prospects Shettima said Nigeria has considerable opportunities in banking financial technology oil and gas agriculture commodity exports real estate construction and the creative industry.

He said the country’s young population entrepreneurial spirit financial sector and expanding digital economy provided important foundations for growth.

According to him such opportunities could only be fully harnessed through reliable electricity efficient transportation improved security accessible financing better education and stronger public institutions.

He called for increased local production greater exports productive investments and support for small businesses to grow into larger enterprises.

The Vice President also stressed the need to ensure that economic opportunities reach women young people and rural communities rather than concentrating such opportunities among a limited section of the population.

‘Government has a responsibility to create the conditions for growth. The private sector must invest and innovate. But professionals such as you have a special responsibility to connect policy with public understanding ambition with action and opportunity with participation’ he said.

The Vice President’s position on responsible leadership and public confidence also featured prominently in the address the Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited Otunba Bimbo Ashiru delivered at the occasion.

He warned that organisations and their leaders must prepare for crises before they occur.

Ashiru said the speed of digital communication economic disruptions geopolitical tensions and changing public expectations had made leadership increasingly difficult with reputations built over decades capable of suffering serious damage within hours.

He said leaders could not always prevent crises particularly those caused by events beyond their control but their ability to respond with courage sound judgment transparency and integrity would determine how much damage their organisations suffered.

‘When a crisis occurs people look to leadership for direction. Employees want reassurance. Investors want confidence. Regulators demand accountability. Citizens expect answers. The media seeks information’ Ashiru said.

The Odu’a Investment chairman argued that reputation could not be created at the point of a crisis because it was the product of years of decisions conduct and consistency between promises and actions.

He said reputation management should go beyond public relations and the handling of negative publicity to include an organisation’s performance relationships accountability and the quality of its leadership.

‘Communication matters certainly. But communication without credibility is rarely sustainable’ Ashiru said.

He urged corporate executives government officials and other public office holders to build strong institutions and systems that could withstand difficult situations rather than wait until a crisis occurred before attempting to protect their reputations.

Ashiru also called for greater recognition of Nigerian business and leadership experiences in international institutions saying African organisations had valuable lessons that could contribute to global management education.

He cited his experience at Harvard where he challenged the use of predominantly American and European business cases arguing that Nigerian companies and their experiences deserved greater representation.

Ashiru said he subsequently offered to provide a Nigerian business case study for the institution adding that African businesses should not be overlooked when discussing corporate leadership and management.

In a related presentation the Chairman of the Board of AXA Mansard and Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group Kola Adesina said integrity was more important than reputation because it provided the foundation upon which lasting public confidence was built.

He said individuals and organisations could spend years building a good name but dishonest conduct broken promises and poor decisions could destroy that confidence.

According to him reputation is shaped by everyday actions including how people treat others respond to failure keep promises and conduct business when nobody is watching.

‘Your reputation is a matter of choice. It’s a decision. It’s something you do even before the crisis starts to happen’ Adesina said.

He warned business leaders against compromising product quality misleading customers or manipulating financial records to achieve short-term gains saying such practices could eventually destroy the credibility of their organisations.

Using Nigeria’s electricity industry as an example Adesina said customers are primarily interested in reliable power supply rather than explanations about the technical and operational difficulties facing electricity companies.

He argued that businesses must be judged by the quality of services they provide and the extent to which they meet the needs of their customers.

He also linked the country’s international reputation to the collective conduct of its citizens and institutions saying Nigeria’s image abroad was influenced by the performance of its economy public institutions and leadership.

‘Once the foundation is weak there is no structure you can build on it’ he said urging individuals and organisations to examine the values and behaviours for which they were known.

Adesina further warned public officials against inflating the cost of government projects for personal gain explaining that such practices could result in poor infrastructure unsafe roads and inadequate healthcare facilities with ordinary Nigerians bearing the consequences.

The company chief said public office should be treated as an opportunity to serve rather than a means of accumulating wealth adding that every decision made by leaders would eventually shape how they were remembered.

A former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku also shared lessons from his years of international diplomacy particularly his involvement in resolving political conflicts and promoting democratic governance.

Anyaoku who served as Commonwealth Secretary-General from 1990 to 2000 said effective leadership in conflict situations requires a proper understanding of the issues dividing opposing parties the personalities involved and the people supporting them.

The retired diplomat recalled that when he was elected to lead the Commonwealth in November 1989 he committed himself to promoting democracy helping resolve conflicts among member countries and strengthening technical cooperation.

At the time he said at least 10 Commonwealth countries were operating under one-party systems military governments or absolute monarchies.

He subsequently engaged leaders in Zambia Malawi Kenya and Seychelles encouraging them to adopt constitutional arrangements that allowed multiparty democracy.

Anyaoku also recalled his intervention during negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa between 1991 and 1993.

He said the talks nearly collapsed following the massacre of four African National Congress (ANC) supporters at Boipatong forcing him to travel from London to South Africa to engage the leaders of the major political parties.

After discussions Anyaoku said he prepared a memorandum aimed at restoring the negotiations but encountered difficulty locating Inkatha Freedom Party leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

He eventually discovered that Buthelezi was staying in Pretoria under an assumed name Mr. Rogers. After contacting him and holding discussions Buthelezi agreed to sign the memorandum allowing the negotiations to continue.

The talks eventually produced an agreement on November 17 1993 paving the way for democratic reforms and the end of apartheid.

Anyaoku also recounted his intervention in Bangladesh where political disagreements between Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and opposition leader Sheikh Hasina had led to a nationwide strike that paralysed the country.

After meeting both leaders Anyaoku brought them closer to an agreement and subsequently appointed a representative to continue the negotiations while he attended to other responsibilities.

He later returned to conclude the process which helped restore normal activities in the country.

Drawing lessons from the two experiences he said leaders involved in conflict resolution must understand the issues at stake study the personalities and interests of the opposing parties and exercise caution in communicating the progress of negotiations.

He warned that announcing developments prematurely could undermine negotiations and make it more difficult to reach an agreement.

The Chairman of the Duke of Shomolu Foundation and founder of the Duke’s Masterclass Joseph Edgar said the programme was designed to help individuals and organisations anticipate crises prepare appropriate responses and limit the damage that could follow.

Addressing reporters Edgar said the master class was part of the foundation’s broader effort to promote social cohesion through different platforms including theatre and leadership development.

He explained that the foundation had not abandoned theatre but was using the masterclass as another channel to empower citizens and encourage responsible leadership.

‘Obviously there is a crisis of leadership. So I personally do not believe in leadership anymore. I am looking at followership’ he said.

Edgar explained that the programme was intended to equip individuals and organisations with the knowledge to identify possible crises include them in their contingency plans and respond professionally when they occur.

He said organisations should not wait until problems arise before deciding how to communicate with the public warning that poorly prepared press statements could sometimes worsen an already difficult situation.

The Duke’s Masterclass 2026 held last Thursday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja with the theme: ‘Penetrative Leadership: Definitive Strategies in Robust Crisis and Reputational Management in an Increasingly Chaotic World Order’ brought together business executives government officials communication professionals diplomats and other participants to examine leadership institutional credibility crisis management and the responsibilities of people in positions of influence.

The organisers said the Abuja edition was the beginning of a wider leadership development initiative with plans to continue the programme next March in London.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid got a big boost at the weekend with endorsements from across the country.

His achievement the need for consolidation national cohesion and other reasons were adduced for the show of solidarity.

The presidential election is billed for January 16 2027.

Apart from President Tinubu there are 17 other presidential candidates – the two leading opposition candidates are Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

From Anambra to Kano Ebonyi Uyo and faraway Saudi Arabia pledges of support rolled in at the weekend.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo who is also coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in the state said the NDC and its candidate should forget about the 2027 Presidency because they cannot win. Obi hails from the state.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said President Tinubu will show strength in the 2027 election because those of them in the opposition in 2023 have now joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and will mobilise for his victory.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said yesterday in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital that the state will give the President the highest votes in the country.

Works Minister David Umahi told a town hall meeting in Abakaliki the Ebonyi State capital that the Southeast should have no reason not to vote for President Tinubu. He dismissed Obi’s pledge to serve for four years if elected as a ruse.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin expressed confidence that with political permutations in his favour the President will sweep to victory.

Foremost businessman and industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu who is on the trip to Saudi Arabia with the President pledged that the business community will reciprocate the effect of Tinubu’s bold reforms by supporting his continuation in office.

NDC should forget it says Soludo

Soludo noted that opposition cannot defeat President Tinubu with a divided house.

He spoke at the International Conference Center ICC in Awka the state capital as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord unite as a coalition to return Tinubu in 2027.

Though former Governor of the state and immediate former Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige was represented by his former aide CJ Nwosu.

Senator Uche Ekwunife vying for the senatorial seat of Anambra Central; a chieftain of APC in Southeast Chief Modestus Umenzekwe Chairman of APC in Anambra State; Senator Emma Anosike and other chieftains of the four political parties were in attendance.

Addressing the members of the political parties Soludo said their support for President Tinubu was total adding that Anambra must be rescued.

The governor said: ‘It is a coalition for progress coalition for unity coalition for good security and coalition to secure the future of Nigeria and Anambra.

We are not here for talks; we are here for the soul of Igbo and the future. It is a battle between emotion and reason. But reason will eventually triumph’

Soludo said some of the personalities in the state like Senator Chris Ngige and Sir Paul Chukwuma who is the Deputy Director-General of Tinubu Support Group (TSG) sent apologies for not being around among others.

‘Our purpose here is the re-election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu but others contesting for other offices in different parties it will be a level playing field.

‘We will kick off our campaign on Friday; we have officially adopted President Tinubu as our candidate.

‘It was Rochas Okorocha that took APGA to the coalition. If you do a DNA APGA will rise up well. We gave birth to APC

We don’t want to play politics of isolation. Anambra is strategic to Nigeria politics a state of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Dr Alex Ekwueme Prof Chinua Achebe Dr. Chuba Okadigbo among others; therefore we cannot come now to play sole politics.

‘Anambra cannot pull out from the centre not now that we have a President that knows what federalism is all about.

He insisted there must be a level playing field as a true Democrat when I was contesting for governorship and that is why APGA is still here.

‘Igbo ad clamoured for President; we want a united prosperous one Nigeria. Anambra has the worst erosion gully in Africa. If we don’t align with the center we cannot get federal support.

‘We need federal government partnership; if we fail there are consequences. We are not giving Tinubu a favour but we need such partnership.

‘Before now the Igbo did not vote for him and he won but is it now that he is up there that you will defeat him?

He inaugurated the over 4000 members of the four political parties for the onward journey for President Tinubu’s re-election.

For Senator Uche Ekwunife Senator Emma Anosike and former chairman of APC in Anambra State Chief Basil Ejidike Chief Modestus Umenzekwe and national chairman of APGA Chief Sly Ezeokenwa the meeting was well-deserved. The APC leaders hailed Soludo for the initiative assuring him of their commitment to the project.

Yusuf: we have forces

Reacting to the 500000 votes that President Tinubu got in Kano State in the 2023 election Governor Yusuf popularly known as Gida Gida said that having joined forces with the APC when he and his supporters defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) the coast is clear for President Tinubu to haul millions of votes in Kano the state with the second-highest number of registered voters.

Speaking at the weekend during the empowerment programme in Kano by a member of the House of Representatives Leke Abejide the governor said: ‘In 2023 we were in the opposition. Today by the grace of Allah the governor elected in 2023 is now a full member of the ruling party the APC with the President as leader. Today 24 out of 27 members of the State House of Assembly are in the APC. Nine out of 14 House of Representatives members are in APC. Two out of three Senators are in APC. All 44 Local Government chairmen all 484 councillors plus commissioners and advisers are all in APC working round the clock to ensure 100 percent success for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.’

Kano has more than six million registered voters.

Tinubu poised for victory says Barau

Senator Barau expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win the election citing prevailing political developments and assessments by political analysts.

Barau spoke at the weekend during the inauguration of campaign committees for Dawakin Tofa Tofa and Rimin Gado Local Government Areas of Kano State where he urged APC members to unite and mobilise support for the party’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.

In a statement by his media aide Ismail Mudashir the senator said the political permutations ahead of the election favoured Tinubu expressing optimism that the President’s policies and programmes would yield greater dividends during a second term.

‘Based on the assessments of political analysts and the current state of Nigerian politics all indications suggest that by Allah’s grace Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win the presidential election’ he said.

Barau praised party leaders elected representatives Governor Kabir Yusuf and other stakeholders for their support expressing confidence that the unity within the Kano APC would be sustained.

He said Kano as one of the country’s largest states and second only to Lagos in registered voters deserved greater attention and development opportunities from the Federal Government.

The Deputy Senate President described Governor Yusuf’s defection from the NNPP to the APC as a strategic political decision that had strengthened Kano’s relevance at the national level and improved its prospects of attracting development projects.

Why Southeast must support other regions by Umahi

Umahi urged religious leaders the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and traditional rulers in the Southeast not to remain neutral in the political debate ahead of the election.

Umahi called on the religious and traditional institutions to guide their followers towards supporting President Tinubu’s re-election arguing that the Southeast must strategically support other regions to strengthen its chances of producing a future president.

The minister appealed to Igbo leaders to embrace political wisdom rather than sentiments.

He recalled CAN’s position during his struggle to become governor of Ebonyi State saying the Christian body had taken a stand on the need for justice and should not remain silent when important political decisions affecting the people were being made.

Umahi argued that it would be politically unrealistic for the Southeast to expect to produce Nigeria’s president for only four years after what he described as decades of exclusion from the nation’s highest political office.

‘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’ he said.

He urged Southeast people to support Tinubu to complete his remaining four-year tenure saying such support would demonstrate political reciprocity and strengthen the region’s bargaining position when it eventually seeks the presidency.

The minister maintained that the Southeast should not expect to achieve its political aspirations through hate speech insults or emotional appeals but through strategic alliances and engagement with other regions.

According to him the region has recorded significant political inclusion under the Tinubu administration citing appointments into strategic positions including the Chief of Air Staff Minister of Works Minister of Foreign Affairs and other ministerial and senior government positions.

He also pointed to improvements in the business environment and infrastructure particularly the rehabilitation of roads and easier movement of goods as evidence that the Southeast was increasingly being integrated into the national economic and political structure.

‘Today our people in commerce 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’ he said.

Umahi further criticised what he described as growing intolerance among some supporters of Obi particularly on social media where people who disagree with his presidential ambition are allegedly labeled saboteurs.

He questioned the tendency to portray Obi as the only credible presidential aspirant from the Southeast arguing that the region had produced several accomplished political leaders capable of seeking the country’s highest office.

He specifically mentioned former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu former Minister of National Planning Elias Mbam former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and himself asking why other political figures should be dismissed in favour of one individual.

He appealed to traditional rulers religious leaders and other influential stakeholders to provide political direction for the people insisting that the Southeast should learn from the political strategies of the North and Southwest.

‘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 Southwest do not. Guide our people’ Umahi said.

He maintained that his position was informed by the need to secure the long-term political interests of the Southeast. He added that he would continue to speak openly on the issue despite criticism from those who disagree with his support for President Tinubu.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended former Plateau State Governor Ambassador Fidelis Naanmiap Tapgun for his contributions to peacebuilding and national unity particularly his role in efforts to restore peace during the Jos crisis.

The President gave the commendation while congratulating the elder statesman on his 85th birthday describing him as a distinguished public servant whose leadership and commitment to national development have left enduring legacies.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga Tinubu praised Tapgun’s dedication to fostering peaceful coexistence and promoting development in Plateau State and Nigeria.

The President particularly acknowledged the former governor’s involvement in peacebuilding initiatives during the Jos crisis describing his efforts as invaluable to the pursuit of harmony and stability.

Tinubu also celebrated Tapgun’s distinguished career spanning the civil service politics diplomacy and the Federal Executive Council noting that his contributions reflected a lifetime of commitment to public service.

A native of Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State Tapgun spent 27 years in the state’s civil service occupying several important positions before venturing into partisan politics.

He was elected governor of Plateau State on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and assumed office in January 1992 marking a significant milestone in his political career.

Following Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999 Tapgun was appointed the country’s Ambassador to Kenya in 2000 before subsequently serving as Minister of Industry in 2005.

President Tinubu described the former governor diplomat and minister as an elder statesman whose experience and contributions to governance remained worthy of recognition.

He joined Tapgun’s family friends associates and well-wishers in celebrating his 85th birthday and honouring his record of leadership and service to the nation.

The President prayed for renewed strength sound health peace and many more fulfilling years for the former governor.

The Jigawa State Government has engaged anti-corruption and security agencies to monitor the distribution of the Federal Government’s post-2025 flood disaster relief materials to ensure transparency fairness and accountability.

The State Commissioner for Special Duties Hon. Auwal D. Sankara disclosed this during the flag-off of the distribution exercise at the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) warehouse in Warwade Dutse.

Sankara said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved additional relief materials through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to support flood victims and improve the livelihoods of affected residents.

He explained that the intervention involved the distribution of essential food and non-food items as well as empowerment equipment to vulnerable households affected by the 2025 floods.

According to him about 700 households are expected to benefit from the intervention.

The items include 500 bags of 25kg rice 250 cartons of spaghetti containing 20 packs each 250 cartons of vegetable oil containing four five-litre containers each 500 foam mattresses 250 nylon mats and 250 blankets.

Other items are 54 water-pumping machines 48 grinding machines 40 sewing machines and 10 cargo tricycles.

The commissioner said officials of NEMA and the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were working alongside the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Nigerian Red Cross Society and security agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS) Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to oversee the exercise.

He expressed the state government’s appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the additional intervention describing it as a demonstration of his concern for the welfare of flood victims in Jigawa State and the country.

Sankara recalled that following the 2025 flooding the state government through SEMA promptly mobilised resources and distributed relief materials to affected communities within days of the disaster.

He said the state government distributed more than 11000 bags of rice beans and maize in 10kg and 25kg sizes alongside cash assistance and other food items to hundreds of affected households.

The commissioner added that agricultural inputs including improved seeds were also provided to farmers to enable them to resume farming activities secure another harvest and strengthen food security.

AI-generated audio impersonating election officials fabricated results false polling announcements and targeted messages to suppress voter turnout could undermine Nigeria’s 2027 general elections the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan and other stakeholders have warned.

They called for coordinated action by electoral authorities security agencies media organisations technology platforms and fact-checkers to detect and counter threats before they erode public confidence or trigger violence.

Speaking at a national summit on Artificial Intelligence Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and Electoral Information Integrity in Abuja on Monday Amupitan said elections could be compromised long before voting begins as generative AI makes convincing fake audio videos and official documents increasingly accessible.

The summit was organised by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) under the theme Beyond the Ballot: Safeguarding Electoral Information Integrity in the Age of AI.

‘Artificial intelligence is not inherently an enemy of democracy’ he said noting that machine learning could improve voter registration logistics planning data analysis and administrative efficiency.

However he warned that malicious actors could exploit the same technology to impersonate public figures fabricate election announcements and manipulate voters.

‘Any country any institution that has gone before these apps are not beginning to address the dangers that are posed by AI is planning to fail’ he said.

Amupitan identified continuous voter registration political campaigns the pre-election blackout period and result announcements as vulnerable stages in the electoral cycle. Fake registration portals manipulated voter lists and fabricated claims about cancelled polls could confuse citizens while false results might provoke unrest before INEC announces official outcomes.

He also warned that AI-generated audio could be timed to circulate during campaign blackouts leaving election authorities and fact-checkers little time to respond before voters head to the polls.

INEC he said was strengthening its technical and communication capacity and working with development partners including the European Union to prepare for information crises. The commission also has memoranda of understanding with some social media platforms including TikTok.

He urged media organisations telecommunications providers and technology companies to establish rapid channels for verifying claims and communicating accurate information. Voter education he added should extend beyond explaining how to vote to teaching citizens how to verify information including through messages in local languages and Nigerian Pidgin.

Amupitan however cautioned against using the fight against AI manipulation to justify censorship or suppress legitimate political dissent. He called for clear inter-agency escalation procedures institutionalised links with independent fact-checkers and simulation exercises to test responses before the 2027 elections.

‘Building credible elections requires continuous adaptation’ he said stressing that electoral integrity depended on both the physical security of polling units and the authenticity of information available to voters.

Former INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega urged election management bodies to deploy AI tools including chatbots to provide voters with verified information and counter false election-related claims.

Jega who chaired the summit said discussions at the 2024 Cambridge Conference on Electoral Democracy had highlighted chatbots’ potential to answer voters’ questions using official information.

‘I believe that such positive uses of AI may be worthy of the effort while of course looking wide-eyed and vigilant for other efficient and effective ways of protecting information integrity’ he said.

He urged International IDEA and other partners to consider the proposal in future democracy dialogues arguing that the benefits of AI deserved attention alongside safeguards against misuse.

European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States Gautier Mignot warned that false electoral information could disrupt voting and deepen suspicion about election results.

‘A fabricated announcement can send voters to the wrong location. A false claim about results can deepen suspicion before verifying information reaches the public. The immediate target is information; the deeper target is trust’ he said.

Mignot called for response mechanisms to be established before election pressures intensify stronger partnerships among electoral authorities journalists fact-checkers and digital platforms and safeguards for democratic rights.

He said AI could improve translation accessibility and communication but also make deceptive content easier to produce. Even uncertainty over whether a recording was authentic he added could undermine public trust before its contents were verified.

‘The task is therefore broader than detecting deepfakes. It is to build an electoral information environment in which reliable information is available institutions communicate credibly independent journalism can flourish and manipulation is a prepared response’ he said.

Mignot called for international cooperation to share threat-assessment methods and strengthen verification skills while urging greater protection for women facing intimidation and coordinated online abuse alongside accessible electoral information in local languages and formats suitable for persons with disabilities.

He cautioned that efforts to combat foreign interference must not become a pretext for suppressing criticism or restricting media freedom adding that Nigeria’s electoral choices belonged to Nigerians.

Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika who delivered the keynote address warned that the 2027 elections could face increasingly sophisticated voice cloning fabricated result sheets false polling announcements and cross-border influence operations.

Reviewing recent electoral cycles she said paid social media influence operations expanded in 2019 while the 2023 polls saw fabricated result sheets cloned official statements and edited videos used to mislead voters.

She identified five risks the rapid spread of synthetic content foreign actors using local proxies attempts to dismiss authentic evidence as AI-generated fragmented institutional responses and excessive government restrictions imposed in the name of combating false information.

Foreign actors she said could use local public relations consultants digital agencies and influencers to conceal their involvement making technical investigations financial tracking and cross-border intelligence sharing essential.

Ogwezzy-Ndisika also noted that AI could improve voter register audits detect duplicate registrations support logistics planning and identify anomalies in polling-unit data provided its use was subject to human oversight cybersecurity safeguards data privacy and accountability.

She proposed a national Electoral Information Integrity Response Protocol covering early-warning systems risk assessment independent forensic verification digital evidence preservation rapid communication and post-incident reviews.

She stressed that countermeasures must comply with the Constitution the Electoral Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Act warning against internet shutdowns throttling and arbitrary platform bans that could undermine fundamental rights.

‘The integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 general election will not be decided on the election day in 2027. It’s been decided right now in the choices we make the protocols we build and the trust we forge in this room today’ she said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council Dr Dili Ezughah said electoral integrity depended on the quality of information available to citizens before during and after voting.

He cited Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy published in 2024 and the establishment of the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Nigeria as steps towards responsible AI use and improved public understanding of information.

Idris also cited the Electoral Act 2026 signed by President Bola Tinubu on February 18 which provides for mandatory electronic transmission of polling-unit results and recognises INEC’s result-viewing portal.

He urged journalists to verify information while maintaining their independence and holding government political parties and public institutions accountable. Responses to false information he said must respect freedom of expression and the right to information.

On his part the Executive Director of the International Press Centre Lanre Arogundade said more than 300 participants would work towards a shared understanding of electoral information threats test responses through a simulation exercise and agree on an electoral incident response protocol.

He said the summit would also seek commitments from relevant institutions with defined responsibilities and timelines towards establishing a Nigerian Electoral Incident Partnership to sustain collaboration beyond the meeting.

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday declared that the most difficult phase of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms was over assuring Nigerians that a renewed mandate for the administration in 2027 would usher in an era of prosperity and tangible rewards for their sacrifices.

Shettima who described the proposed second term as a season of harvest insisted the administration had laid the foundation for sustainable economic growth and that no opposition party could improve the government’s economic trajectory.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Calabar Cross River State the Vice President appealed to voters to re-elect President Tinubu Governor Bassey Edet Otu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general election.

He maintained that the administration’s difficult economic decisions since assuming office in 2023 had rescued the economy and created conditions for improved living standards employment opportunities and national prosperity.

‘We are confident of this promise to deliver for this nation because we have already done the most difficult job of economic reset. None of the other options available has the capacity to move the needle of the economy.

‘We have rescued the economy and the road ahead is one of harvest. This second term is one of harvest for you and all Nigerians.

‘I therefore stand before you today to ask you once again to renew the mandate of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and myself as Vice President.

‘And another term for Senator Bassey Edet Otu and Hon. Peter Odey as Governor and Deputy Governor of Cross River State respectively’ Shettima said.

According to a statement issued by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha the Vice President said the APC’s renewed mandate would enable the administration to consolidate ongoing reforms and translate its economic policies into concrete benefits for ordinary Nigerians.

He described the party’s relationship with Nigerians as an alliance built on progress prosperity opportunity and dignity insisting that public welfare must remain the overriding consideration in governance.

Shettima said the administration recognised that political authority ultimately belonged to the people and that elected officials must periodically account for their stewardship and present credible programmes to justify renewed public trust.

Highlighting the Federal Government’s development agenda for Cross River the Vice President identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a major infrastructure investment designed to transform economic activities along Nigeria’s coastal communities.

He said the highway would improve transportation stimulate tourism attract investments and create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

‘This is the wisdom behind the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This transformative infrastructure project will connect coastal communities. It will ease the movement of goods and people. It will expand tourism. It will attract investors and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

‘Our vision is for Cross River to become a major beneficiary of this economic revolution’ he stated.

Shettima also disclosed that the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port had secured Federal Government approval and support assuring residents of the administration’s determination to actualise the project.

He said the port when completed would position Cross River as an international maritime gateway attract shipping companies stimulate industrial development and create employment opportunities.

The Vice President also identified the proposal to locate the Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar as another initiative that could strengthen the state’s international profile.

According to him hosting the secretariat would attract diplomatic and commercial activities expand the hospitality and tourism sectors and create additional economic opportunities.

On the controversy surrounding 46 oil wells Shettima said the Federal Government acknowledged Cross River’s efforts to resolve the dispute and recognised the state’s littoral status.

He assured that the administration was prepared to facilitate a resolution that would strengthen the state’s maritime identity and expand opportunities in the blue economy maritime investment and potential derivation benefits.

Turning to education the Vice President said Cross River was benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) which he described as an important intervention to reduce the financial burden on parents and expand access to tertiary education.

He said the initiative complemented the administration’s Project HOPE Education programme designed to improve foundational learning teacher development school management and accountability.

Shettima however acknowledged that Nigerians continued to experience economic difficulties assuring that the government would remain responsive to public concerns.

He stressed that supporting the administration should not prevent citizens from questioning government decisions or demanding improvements in public service delivery.

According to him the APC sought continuity with accountability not unconditional support because the welfare of Nigerians remained the central purpose of governance.

Earlier APC National Chairman Prof. Nentanwe Yilwatda urged Cross River residents to support the party’s candidates at all levels describing Tinubu as a transformational leader deserving of another mandate.

He cited Federal Government support for the Bakassi Deep Sea Port efforts to revive the Calabar Port and the Trans-Sahara Superhighway among projects demonstrating the administration’s commitment to the state.

Governor Otu in his remarks praised Tinubu’s courage in implementing difficult economic reforms describing the President’s leadership as critical to Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.

He said the administration’s policies in agriculture education industry and security were already producing results expressing confidence that Cross River voters would overwhelmingly support the President’s re-election.

Also speaking Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Senator Abdulaziz Yari dismissed suggestions that northern Nigeria would oppose Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

Yari maintained that the President’s performance had earned him another mandate assuring that the North would support his re-election bid.

Before the rally Shettima led an APC delegation on a courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu where he sought royal support for the party’s electoral aspirations.

He commended the monarch for his commitment to preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of the Efik people describing the traditional institution as an important pillar of national unity.

Governor Otu also sought the monarch’s blessings for the APC and the Tinubu administration.

Responding the Obong welcomed the delegation and urged political leaders to promote unity peaceful coexistence and cooperation.

The traditional ruler commended Tinubu’s willingness to undertake difficult economic reforms expressing confidence that the policies would produce long-term benefits for Nigerians.

Dignitaries at the campaign rally included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Hope Uzodinma of Imo; members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and party leaders from Cross River and other parts of the South-South.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr Taiwo Oyedele has challenged international investors lenders rating agencies and financial institutions to stop treating Africa as a single economic entity and instead assess its 54 countries individually using reliable economic data rather than prejudices and negative perceptions.

Taiwo Oyedele spoke in a short video clip posted on X by the Ministry of Finance on Monday. He said the tendency to judge the continent through generalisations without taking account of the different economic conditions strengths and investment opportunities of individual countries was contributing to unfair assessments and making access to international capital more expensive for African economies.

Oyedele argued that a change in the way African countries are assessed alongside improvements in their domestic economic environments could reduce borrowing costs attract greater investment and unlock the continent’s enormous economic potential.

The minister made the call while discussing Africa’s position in the global financial system urging international stakeholders to base their investment and lending decisions on facts verifiable information and the actual economic performance of individual countries.

‘Ask everybody to kindly look at data in making judgment and assessments not pass prejudices. Don’t paint the whole of Africa with one brush. We are 54 countries’ he said.

He argued that Africa’s 54 countries have different economic structures levels of development resources and investment opportunities and should therefore not be subjected to the same assessments simply because they belong to the same geographical region.

According to him broad negative perceptions about the continent can influence how international investors and lenders assess risks even when individual countries have different economic fundamentals and prospects.

The minister maintained that a more objective assessment of African economies would help investors identify opportunities that could otherwise be overlooked because of sweeping assumptions about the continent.

He also called on African governments to accept responsibility for addressing weaknesses within their respective economies and institutions stressing that the demand for fair treatment must be accompanied by efforts to improve domestic economic management.

‘We are not pointing fingers that’s why I started by saying we’ll clean our own house’ he said.

He explained that African countries must create the right conditions for investment while encouraging international stakeholders to make decisions based on reliable economic indicators rather than inherited perceptions and stereotypes.

The minister said removing the additional financial burden associated with negative perceptions would make borrowing more affordable and improve the ability of African countries to mobilise capital for infrastructure businesses and other development priorities.

He expressed optimism that the continent could achieve significantly stronger economic growth if its countries received fairer assessments and created more attractive environments for investment.

‘So if you can take out those extra costs and then you make it more affordable you create the right environment like I like to say Africa will be unstoppable’ he said.

Explaining the financial implications of the problem Oyedele said Africa continued to face an unfavourable position in international credit and investment classifications with only a small number of countries enjoying the strongest credit ratings.

He said available indicators showed that only one African country was regarded as an emerging market while about three countries on the continent had investment-grade credit ratings.

He questioned why almost the entire continent was either unclassified or categorised as frontier markets arguing that such classifications raised concerns about how African economies were assessed in the international financial system.

The minister said the consequences extended beyond the ratings themselves as the perception of higher risks could affect the terms on which African countries obtain loans and attract international investments.

He cited figures attributed to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which put the additional borrowing costs paid by developing countries compared with developed economies at about $500 billion.

Oyedele referred to the estimate while discussing issues raised at the G24 meeting during the recent World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings.

He argued that developing countries were already paying significantly more to access international financing and that negative perceptions created another layer of costs for African economies.

Describing this additional burden he said: ‘If you add on top of that you then conclude that we have what I call the narrative costs the prejudice premium or the stereotype tax and it adds up.’

The minister argues that the continent’s financing challenges cannot be addressed by domestic reforms alone if international investors and financial institutions continue to rely on generalised perceptions when assessing individual countries.

He therefore called for a combination of stronger economic management within African countries and more evidence-based assessments by international financial institutions lenders and investors.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20 2026 Ekiti State governorship election Dr Wole Oluyede has pledged to lead members of his political movement Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA) on a door-to-door campaign across the state’s 16 local governments to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.

The proposed grassroots mobilisation campaign is expected to complement the efforts of All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political stakeholders working to secure victory for Tinubu in the state.

Oluyede’s commitment followed his participation in the inauguration of the Ekiti State Presidential Campaign Council by Governor Biodun Oyebanji where political leaders and stakeholders gathered to strengthen preparations for the forthcoming presidential election.

Under the proposed strategy OPARHA members will take the Renewed Hope message to households and communities engaging residents and encouraging eligible voters to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The movement is targeting 90 per cent of the votes cast in Ekiti State for the President an ambitious objective that will require extensive grassroots engagement effective coordination and cooperation among political organisations and other stakeholders.

The planned door-to-door campaign will cover the state’s 16 local governments with emphasis on direct interaction with voters community outreach and mobilisation at the grassroots.

Oluyede’s involvement can add another dimension to the President’s re-election campaign given his experience as a governorship candidate and his political relationships across the state.

His proposed mobilisation effort also presents an opportunity to reach voters beyond the traditional support base of the APC particularly if OPARHA succeeds in translating its political network into an organised statewide campaign.

The initiative comes as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its political structures and expand support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Oyebanji who inaugurated the state Presidential Campaign Council has emphasised grassroots mobilisation and voter engagement as important elements of the campaign strategy.

Oluyede’s proposed collaboration with other stakeholders can complement these efforts by bringing additional political networks into the broader mobilisation drive.

However achieving the 90 per cent target will depend on the effectiveness of the campaign coordination among participating groups and the willingness of eligible voters to turn out on election day.

For OPARHA the challenge will be to translate its commitment into sustained door-to-door engagement across communities wards and polling units throughout Ekiti State.

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum the proposed campaign places grassroots mobilisation at the centre of OPARHA’s contribution to Tinubu’s re-election effort.