The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has officially ratified an automatic ticket for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial District election.

The decision, which was taken due to her impressive performance and strong grassroots support since assuming office, effectively clears the path for the senator to seek re-election without undergoing a primary contest.

Kogi PDP leaders praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legislative contributions and her relentless advocacy for the people of Kogi Central, describing her as a high-performing representative who has delivered visible impact within a relatively short time in the Senate.

The ratification comes shortly after the senator formally declared her intention to run for a second term, during which she called for unity within the PDP and urged party members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party stakeholders across the five local government areas in Kogi Central have expressed overwhelming support for her return, viewing her as the most credible candidate to continue representing the district effectively.

The move is seen as a strategic step by the Kogi PDP to avoid internal rancour in the senatorial zone and present a united front as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been vocal on national issues and constituency development, is expected to leverage this endorsement to consolidate her position and further strengthen her influence both in Kogi State and at the national level.

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A politician and former presidential candidate of the defunct African Renaissance Party, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, has raised concerns over the state of the nation, describing Nigeria as a “failed state” that is “in a mess in all ramifications.”

In a statement issued on Friday in Enugu, Ndu criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress and leading opposition parties, accusing them of lacking ideology and focusing more on the 2027 elections than on governance, amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

Ndu, who pioneered Nigeria’s first presidential debate in Enugu in 1992, challenged President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to a “thorough debate” on practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

The president of the Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria said the current political space is dominated by conversations about elections rather than governance.

The challenge, which comes as opposition figures intensify discussions on possible coalitions and strategies to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seeks to put the major political players on the same stage to discuss their visions for Nigeria’s future.

While details of the proposed debate format, timing, and moderator are yet to be made public, the call reflects growing public interest in issue-based politics rather than personality-driven campaigns.

This is not the first time such a challenge has been issued. In the run-up to the 2023 elections, similar calls for debates among the leading contenders were made, though not all candidates participated fully.

As political realignments continue with talks of coalitions, new party platforms, and fresh aspirants the renewed push for a debate is likely to generate more conversations about transparency and preparedness among Nigeria’s political class.

Supporters of the idea argue that a face-to-face debate would help voters make more informed choices, especially as the country grapples with economic hardship, insecurity, and questions over leadership direction.

The three figures Tinubu (APC), Atiku (widely associated with PDP), and Obi (now linked to opposition realignment efforts) represent the major blocs in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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Former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the Supreme Court ruling, describing it as a significant affirmation of leadership within the party.

This was disclosed via his X handle on Thursday.

Atiku welcomed the apex court’s decision, which upheld David Mark and the party’s leadership.

“Even as we welcome the Supreme Court’s firm affirmation of David Mark and the leadership of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, let no one be lulled into complacency.

“The road ahead remains long in our cause to take back and rescue our country.

“This victory belongs to Nigerians, the courageous millions who refuse to surrender their future.

“We thank them, and we urge them to remain steadfast, because the struggle is far from over. As we press on, let this truth guide us: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” he said.

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Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, on Thursday said that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved the award of contracts for three major rail projects aimed at boosting infrastructure, productivity and economic growth across key urban
centres.

Oyedele disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the 5th council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the projects, covering Lagos, Kano and Kaduna, are designed to support the federal government’s broader development agenda and
improve the quality of life for citizens.

According to him: “We know that for economic development, you need infrastructure that works, one that enhances productivity and growth,
and also improves the quality of life of the people.”

Oyedele mentioned the approved projects to include Phase 1A of the Lagos Green Line rail, the Kano State Metro City rail project, and the Kaduna State light rail system.

He described the three cities as critical economic hubs where targeted investments can yield outsized impact.

“You would agree that these three cities are very important and strategic. All cities are important, but these are places where 10 per cent effort can yield up to 90 per cent results,” he stated.

The minister, who joined the cabinet last week after the resignation of Wale Edun, disclosed that the projects will be financed through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), acting on behalf of the federal government, with provisions for counterpart funding arrangements.

In total, Oyedele said the three rail projects are valued at approximately $2.99 billion.

“These projects will be sponsored by MOFI on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, with some counterpart funding. Altogether, they
will cost about $2.99 billion,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to prioritising infrastructure as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and urban mobility.

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Electricity supply in Lagos has been significantly disrupted following a major shutdown at the Egbin Power Station and a simultaneous fault on a key transmission route feeding the state, according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the operator warned that the combined incidents could lead to prolonged power shortages across Lagos, Nigeria’s largest electricity consumption hub.

The disruption reportedly began late on April 28 when Egbin Power Station experienced a critical operational failure that forced an immediate halt in generation. Power output dropped sharply from about 641 megawatts to zero within a short period.

The system operator explained that the plant’s shutdown was triggered by a failure involving its central compressor unit, alongside a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, necessitating a full safety shutdown of all generating units.

The statement noted: “The Nigerian Independent System Operator wishes to inform the general public of a significant reduction in power generation currently affecting electricity supply across the country, particularly within the Lagos region.

“Egbin Power Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant on the national grid and a major contributor to daily power supply in Nigeria, experienced a major operational disturbance.

“At approximately 8:21 p.m. on April 28, 2026, Egbin Power Station recorded a total loss of generation, dropping from about 641MW to zero output.

“This incident was caused by the failure of the plant’s central compressor, in addition to a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, which necessitated an immediate shutdown of all generating units to safeguard the facility.”

The agency also noted that the disruption has been compounded by an unrelated fault on the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line, a critical corridor responsible for evacuating electricity into Lagos.

According to the operator, the transmission failure has further limited the volume of power that can be delivered into the Lagos electricity network, worsening the supply shortfall.

“Power supply to the Lagos region is currently further restricted due to the forced outage of the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line, thereby limiting the evacuation of available generation into the Lagos load centre,” the statement added.

With both generation and transmission constraints in place, system operators have begun implementing load-shedding measures to maintain grid stability and avoid a wider system collapse.

Emergency interventions currently underway include redistribution of available power across distribution companies, with priority given to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, security installations and essential services. Operators are also working to optimise output from other generation plants to cushion the impact on consumers.

“Consequently, this loss of generation has created a significant supply shortfall, necessitating immediate load-shedding measures to maintain grid stability and prevent a wider system disturbance.

“System operators have since deployed contingency measures, including the reallocation of available load across distribution companies, with priority given to critical national infrastructure.

“In addition, efforts are ongoing to optimise generation from other available power plants to mitigate the impact of this development on electricity consumers.”

The operator expressed regret over the disruption, particularly its impact on residents of Lagos and surrounding areas, and assured that restoration efforts are ongoing in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“We acknowledge the inconvenience this situation has caused electricity consumers, especially within Lagos and surrounding areas, and we assure the public that all relevant stakeholders are working closely to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

The Egbin Power Station, located in Ikorodu, is the largest thermal power facility connected to Nigeria’s national grid, with an installed capacity of over 1,300 megawatts.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the deadline for the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms and the submission of completed forms for the 2027 General Elections.

The decision was approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting on Thursday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Durosinmi Meseko, told journalists that the sale of forms will now close at midnight on Monday, May 4, 2026. Submission of completed forms and accompanying documents has been shifted to midnight on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

The previous schedule set the sale of forms from Saturday, April 25 to Saturday, May 2, 2026, with submissions due by Monday, May 4, 2026.

Meseko said the extension was necessary due to the nationwide public holiday observed on Friday and the high level of interest from aspirants.

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The Supreme Court has directed former Senate President David Mark and other parties in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership tussle to return to the Federal High Court for the determination of the case.

The apex court, in a judgment delivered Thursday, voided the “status quo ante bellum” order earlier issued by the Court of Appeal on March 12, 2026.

The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026, was filed by Mark challenging the appellate court’s decision, which ordered parties to maintain the status quo in a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe and other aggrieved ADC members.

Mark argued that the dispute concerns the internal affairs of a political party, which courts lack jurisdiction to intervene in. f40e

Following the Court of Appeal’s ruling, INEC had on April 1 removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, stating it would not recognise any faction until the legal dispute is resolved.

The Supreme Court’s latest decision effectively sets aside that order and directs that the substantive suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, should proceed to hearing. 1e88

The leadership crisis pits Mark’s faction against Nafiu Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman who declared himself acting national chairman after Ralph Nwosu stepped down.

The Mark-led faction had earlier written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria seeking timely delivery of the judgment, warning that delay could exclude the ADC from the 2027 General Election.

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A staff member at the Murtala Muhammed International
Airport, MMIA, in Lagos, Frank Omorojie, has been commended for returning a lost purse containing cash and important travel documents to its owner at the departure hall of Terminal 2.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Rwanda Air check-in area, where Omorojie reportedly discovered the misplaced item.

The purse contained $1,700, a Nigerian and British passport, as well as a credit card.

According to airport sources, the discovery immediately raised concerns about tracing the owner, but Omorojie promptly handed the item over to Aviation Security, AVSEC, personnel without hesitation.

Following standard airport procedures, the recovered belongings were properly documented and transferred to the Customer Service unit, which quickly made a public announcement to locate the owner.

Within a short time, a Nigerian passenger scheduled to travel to Kigali, Rwanda, who had already feared the items were lost permanently, was reunited with all her belongings intact.

Airport officials described the incident as a clear demonstration of professionalism and integrity, noting that such actions
reinforce public confidence in airport operations and staff conduct.

Speaking briefly, Omorojie said his decision was guided by simple principles of honesty.

“I just did what was right,” he said.

His action has since drawn praise from colleagues and airport authorities, who described it as a commendable example of responsibility and ethical conduct in public service.

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An army officer on Wednesday testified in a Federal High Court in Abuja, linking some of the defendants and former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.

The witness, an officer from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, who testified under protective measures with his identity shielded, told the court that intelligence reports received by the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede (now Chief of Defence Staff), indicated that a serving officer, Col. Mohammed Maaji, was coordinating a coup plot involving military personnel and civilians, including Sylva.

“Upon receipt of the intelligence report, it was analysed, processed and found to be credible, and the Chief of Army Staff directed our team to investigate the allegations,” the witness stated.

He said Col. Maaji was arrested, and items recovered from him, including a Samsung Galaxy Z-series phone and a jotter, contained operational plans, names and designations of ranking members of the current administration, as well as officers marked for assassination.

Forensic examination of the phone reportedly revealed communications linking Maaji to some of the defendants. The witness also spoke of “post-coup arrangements,” including proposed changes to government institutions.

The officer further testified that financial investigations uncovered monetary transactions linking Col. Maaji, Sylva, and some of the defendants.

With assistance from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), analysis of bank records showed multiple large transfers running into hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025.

Investigators also visited Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel in Abuja, where records of meetings allegedly discussing “regime change,” assassination targets, and role assignments were recovered.

Six suspects, retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru (an electrician at the Presidential Villa), Bukar Kashim Goni, and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani are standing trial on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose treasonable information, and money laundering.

The defendants, who were arraigned on April 22, 2026, pleaded not guilty to all charges. Timipre Sylva is named in the charge sheet as “still at large.”

The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, also presented three bank officials from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank, who tendered documents relating to account correspondences with the EFCC, which were admitted in evidence.

Defence counsel, led by Muhammed Ndayako (SAN), raised objections to some of the evidence and the manner of the witness’s testimony, reserving their full arguments for the final address.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 4, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

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