Protests broke out on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State secretariat in Ogba, as party members rejected the results of the primaries for Agege Constituencies I and II.

The demonstrators, carrying placards and chanting slogans, accused the party leadership of imposing candidates.

They disputed the published results, which declared Abiola Oluwagbemiga winner for Constituency I and Sule Akindele for Constituency II, insisting that Ganiyu Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf (Ninalowo) were the rightful winners.

Placards bore messages such as “Protect Internal Democracy in Agege,” “Justice for Egunjobi,” and “Let the people’s votes count.” Protesters claimed Egunjobi polled over 9,000 votes and demanded that the party respect the mandate given by members.

The unrest follows wider dissatisfaction with APC primary outcomes in Alimosho, Mushin, Ojokoro, and other constituencies.

Even Iyaloja-General Folashade Tinubu-Ojo had earlier threatened protests, alleging bias in favor of the party’s Justice Forum bloc.

While police ensured crowd control during the protest, APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, through his media aide, urged aggrieved members to use internal party mechanisms to resolve disputes.

He stressed that the primaries had been concluded and warned against actions or statements that could heighten tension.

The party also dismissed reports that Ojelabi was harassed during the protest, clarifying that he was not present at the secretariat at the time.

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Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Nollywood actor, has released what he claims is evidence to support his bribery allegations against Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Earlier this week, Okonkwo alleged that Obi and other NDC leaders in the South East collected N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and N20 million from senatorial aspirants during party primaries.

He said one aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu, disclosed the payments to him and even presented a receipt.Obi’s legal team has since filed a lawsuit in response to the allegations.

In a post on X Wednesday morning, Okonkwo shared screenshots of alleged WhatsApp chats with Ohaegbu, claiming they show Obi’s involvement in the financial demands.

“Obunike Ohaegbu, when I questioned him to prove that Peter Obi was responsible for demanding the N10m from him and other HOR aspirants and N20m from the Senate aspirants, he made it clear that when he confronted the Party on who authorised the payment, the party named Peter Obi and the caucus leaders who were assembled by Peter Obi,” Okonkwo wrote.

The controversy adds to the growing tension between Obi and Okonkwo, who has repeatedly criticized the NDC’s internal processes.

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The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has described the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a “political trap” that lacks a promising future ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele warned politicians who have joined the party that they may eventually regret their decision.

He claimed the party was established as a setup primarily to capture politicians rather than serve as a genuine political platform.

“NDC as a party can’t really go far; it’s a party of political errand boys. It’s not a serious political party, and people who have rushed themselves there will eventually regret it. The party is a political setup programmed to capture politicians,” Ayodele said.

He further stated that the NDC “won’t last long” and has “no political future,” expressing pity for those who have “pitched their tents in the party,” describing it as a trap.

The cleric had earlier issued similar warnings when the party was floated by former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson. He predicted that even the party’s owner would fail if he contests under its platform in 2027.

Primate Ayodele’s prophecy comes as the relatively new NDC continues to attract high-profile politicians, including former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, who recently joined the party.

The NDC is positioning itself as a major opposition force against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Despite the criticism, the party has maintained that it remains strong and focused on building a viable platform for the next general elections.

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A former Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche (retd.), has argued that replacing Nigeria’s service chiefs is not the solution to the country’s persistent security challenges.

Enenche made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday while reacting to recent calls for the resignation of the service chiefs amid ongoing threats of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

He specifically countered the position of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who had urged President Bola Tinubu to issue a 90-day ultimatum to the security chiefs to eliminate terrorists and their sponsors or resign.

“People may be thinking the service chiefs are not working, but I can tell you that changing service chiefs every six months or every year is not the solution at all,” Enenche stated.

The retired general emphasised the need for a long-term, coordinated national approach to insecurity rather than frequent leadership changes driven by public pressure. He urged Nigerians to treat the issue with utmost seriousness.

“It is not beyond what we should do because if we don’t act now, it will continue and keep rolling over from one administration to another, and that must stop,” he added.

Enenche’s comments come as public frustration grows over the worsening security situation across several parts of the country.

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Telecom operators in Nigeria have compensated more than 75 million subscribers for poor network services, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed.

This represents one of the largest consumer redress exercises in Africa’s biggest mobile market.

The industry regulator made the announcement in a communiqué issued on Tuesday after its 109th board meeting held on May 25, 2026.

It described the payout as a major step in enforcing quality-of-service obligations on mobile network operators.

The compensation follows an NCC directive issued on March 29, 2026, which mandated operators to automatically issue airtime credits to affected subscribers.

The credits are calculated based on customers’ average spending patterns in areas where service quality fell below regulatory benchmarks.

“The board noted substantial progress in the implementation of the commission’s directive, particularly the full compliance, which has resulted in compensation being offered to over 75 million affected subscribers,” the communiqué stated.

The NCC said it is still conducting independent validation to confirm that all eligible subscribers received their due compensation, while urging consumers to continue engaging with the regulator on service-related issues.

Broader ContextNigeria currently has over 200 million mobile subscriptions. The exercise addresses long-standing consumer complaints about dropped calls, slow data speeds, and inconsistent coverage.

The board also reviewed ongoing network expansion efforts, noting that operators have committed to deploying over 12,000 new sites, with more than 5,000 already completed.

It further highlighted investments in fibre infrastructure and concerns over persistent vandalism of telecom facilities.

The NCC reiterated its commitment to improving service quality through stricter enforcement, consumer protection, and infrastructure development in the sector.

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The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the recent derailment on the Itakpe-Warri rail corridor and ensure adequate compensation for victims.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Francis Waive, a lawmaker from Delta State, during plenary on Tuesday.

Waive expressed concern over the accident of June 8, 2026, which claimed four lives and left several passengers injured.

He described the Itakpe-Warri line as one of Nigeria’s most strategic standard-gauge rail corridors, linking Delta, Edo, and Kogi states, and serving thousands of commuters and businesses daily.

Waive warned that the incident raised serious questions about passenger safety, operational standards, and emergency preparedness within the railway system.

Beyond the fatalities and injuries, Waive noted that passengers also suffered financial losses, emotional trauma, and damage to personal belongings.

He stressed the need for urgent remedial measures to restore public confidence in rail transport.

The House commended the Delta State Government, emergency responders, healthcare workers, and residents who assisted in rescue operations.

Lawmakers directed the NRC to:

Investigate causes of the accident and make findings public.Compensate victims for injuries, losses, and trauma.

Strengthen safety protocols and maintenance practices to prevent future incidents.The House also mandated its Committee on Land Transport and Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation and report back within four weeks.

The Itakpe-Warri rail line, commissioned in 2020, is a critical link between the North Central and South-South regions.

While rail transport has become increasingly popular due to insecurity on highways and high airfares, safety concerns persist.

Nigeria’s rail sector has faced repeated challenges, including the Abuja-Kaduna train attack in March 2022 and other derailments, underscoring the urgent need for improved infrastructure, monitoring systems, and passenger protection.

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The Nigerian Senate has called for a complete ban on textile imports as part of efforts to revive the country’s struggling textile industry and boost job creation.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Katung and co-sponsored by lawmakers including Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Adams Oshiomhole, Mohammed Monguno, Ibrahim Khalid, and Mustapha Khabeeb.

Leading the debate, Katung lamented the collapse of an industry that once employed nearly 500,000 workers across 167 mills in the 1970s and 1980s.

He recalled that Kaduna, nicknamed “Textile City,” was once the hub of Nigeria’s textile production.

Lawmakers blamed the decline on smuggling, poor government protection, and the influx of imported fabrics.

Senator Adamu Aliero argued that only a total ban could protect local manufacturers and revive cotton farming, noting Nigeria was once among the world’s largest cotton producers.

Senator Ogoshi Onawo stressed that reviving the sector would help tackle unemployment and insecurity, while Senator Jibrin Isah urged collaboration with the Ministry of Industry to ensure implementation of the Senate’s resolutions.

Following a voice vote, the Senate urged the Federal Government, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to:Ban textile imports completely.Provide additional funding to the Bank of Industry to support manufacturers.

Introduce policies to encourage cotton production among farmers.Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin described the move as vital to Nigeria’s economic growth, noting that the textile industry was once a major contributor to the economy before decades of decline caused by poor infrastructure, high production costs, and competition from imports.

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The Federal Government yester day mounted robust defence of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, declaring that Nigeria is steadily emerging from economic fragility and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity, despite pains associated with ongoing reforms.

At a high-profile Democracy Day press conference in Abuja yesterday to mark Nigeria’s 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance and the third year of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, top government officials insisted that available evidence point to a nation on the path of recovery, growth and institutional strengthening.

Speaking at the briefing, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described Democracy Day as a historic moment for national reflection, accountability and celebration of the sacrifices that secured democratic governance in Nigeria.

He paid tribute to late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola, the symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, while also acknowledging the contributions of pro-democracy activists, including President Tinubu, in the fight that restored civilian rule in 1999.

According to Idris, the 2026 Democracy Day celebration carries special significance because it coincides with the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, providing an opportunity to assess the impact of government policies and reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Twenty-seven years of uninterrupted democratic governance is a milestone worthy of celebration. It reflects the determination of Nigerians to uphold democratic values, strengthen institutions and build a more prosperous nation,” he said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu acknowledged the economic hardship facing Nigerians but maintained that government policies are yielding measurable results.

“Government will never claim that every challenge has been solved. Inflation has been painful, insecurity still threatens lives and livelihoods, and the effects of reform do not land evenly or immediately.

ection,from fragility toward firmer footing, from stop-gap actions toward systemic reform, and from scattered interventions toward a more connected programme of delivery,” Akume said.

He stressed that President Tinubu remains fully aware of difficulties confronting citizens and is committed to ensuring that the benefits of reforms became more visible.

Presenting economic indicators, Akume disclosed that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, remains on a positive trajectory over the last two quarters.

Quoting data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, he said the economy recorded a growth rate of 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.

He said the figures demonstrate growing investor confidence, increased market activity and improving productive exchange across sectors.

The SGF also highlighted the administration’s fiscal reforms, noting that President Tinubu signed four major tax reform laws in June 2025 to simplify compliance, enhance transparency and boost domestic revenue generation.

One of the flagship achievements highlighted by the administration was the Student Loan Scheme.

Akume disclosed that since the Student Loan Act was signed into law in April 2024, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has supported over 1.058 million students nationwide.

He revealed that more than N184 billion had been disbursed for tuition and upkeep allowances, describing the initiative as one of the most impactful interventions in the education sector.

“The public impact analysis shows that over 1.058 million students have already benefited from the scheme,” he said.

The government also unveiled figures showing the reach of its social protection programmes.

According to Akume, the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, designed to support 15 million households, had reached over three million vulnerable households by August 2025.

He added that nearly one million Nigerians across the country’s 774 local government areas had benefited from interventions under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme and CreditCorp.

The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CreditCorp), he said, had also expanded access to formal credit, with over 200,000 Nigerians benefiting and N37 billion disbursed in 2025 alone.

On healthcare, the SGF said the administration has intensified efforts to improve access to quality medical services through implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA Act, and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

He disclosed that resources had been provided to support more than 8,000 primary healthcare centres, with plans underway to expand coverage to 13,000 facilities nationwide.

The President, he added, had directed mandatory health insurance implementation across ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, to deepen health coverage.

Akume also highlighted anti-corruption gains recorded by the administration, noting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, have continued to recover stolen assets and prosecute offenders.

He revealed that the EFCC contributed over N50 billion in recovered funds to support the student loan programme.

In what he described as a major international endorsement of Nigeria’s reform efforts, the SGF announced that the country was officially removed from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, grey list in October 2025, following improvements in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.

“Accountability in this administration is sacrosanct,” he declared.

On security, Akume said the government remains committed to defeating terrorism, banditry and other criminal threats.

He noted that while insecurity had not been completely eradicated, significant progress is being made through increased investment in security agencies, enhanced regional cooperation and improved operational capacity of the Armed Forces.

“The good news is that we are succeeding,” he stated.

Akume commended members of the military and security agencies for their sacrifices and urged Nigerians to play more active roles by reporting suspicious activities to authorities.

According to him, “security must become our collective national project.”

The SGF stressed further the importance of national cohesion, religious tolerance and shared values in sustaining democracy.

He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, had approved the National Values Charter to promote discipline, citizenship, reciprocity, service and tolerance across society.

He also reaffirmed government support for the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, as a platform for strengthening Christian-Muslim relations and national stability.

Looking ahead, Akume signalled the administration’s intention to seek a renewal of its mandate in the 2027 general elections, insisting that government remains focused on completing reforms initiated since 2023.

“Our responsibility is to finish what we commenced in 2023. As we approach the 2027 election cycle, we shall scale what is working. Our task is not completed yet, and under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, more dividends of democracy will be delivered,” he said.

He described June 12 as more than a symbolic date, saying it represents both the memory of democratic sacrifice and the obligation of elected leaders to remain accountable to the people.

“This government is prepared to be judged by evidence,” Akume said, as ministers lined up to present sector-by-sector reports on the administration’s performance.

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Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has broken his silence on his visitation to Ibadan late last year, amidst outrage that he was trying to Islamise Oyo State with some Northern ideologies and tenets.

Gumi stressed that nobody can stop him from visiting anywhere in the country, while maintaining that he was not invited by any Muslim group or individual in the South-West.

In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, he said he was in Ibadan as a representative of northern Islamic scholars.

He made this known barely a day after one of the victims of the abduction in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State dismissed claims that their abductors demanded the implementation of Sharia law in the state as part of the conditions for releasing the victims.

It can be recalled that the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oyo State, Mrs Rachael Alamu, while speaking from captivity in a now-viral video, said the gunmen said they never demanded the introduction of Sharia law or a N1 billion ransom as reported in some quarters, but rather for the release of their associates currently in the custody of Nigerian authorities.

Also, the Muslim Rights Concern rejected the alleged demand for Sharia in a statement issued on Monday, describing the report as “a lie from the pit of Jahannam (hell)”.

MURIC argued that the so-called demand was inserted by enemies of Islam in the negotiation team to tarnish the image of Islam.

However, aligning with the Islamic group’s position, Gumi wrote, “I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in SW (South-West) and why I was unnecessarily dragged into their dirty local politics.

“I was in Ibadan, not by the invitation of any SW Muslim individual or group, but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama.

“Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?”

Recall that Gumi visited Ibadan on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, where he served as a special guest and speaker at the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit.

The event took place at the University of Ibadan.

During his visit, he also attended a courtesy session alongside other prominent Southern and Northern Muslim scholars.

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