Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, on Tuesday playfully accused Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni of constantly targeting him during interviews.

While appearing on the station’s Morning Show, Oshiomhole told Oseni: “You fight me every day. I watch you. And you do one-sided punching and I’m like, one day, we will see.”

The remark came in a light-hearted exchange as the senator responded to questions on the programme.

Oshiomhole also used the appearance to address his recent disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the controversial amendment of the Senate Standing Orders.

He had previously criticised the process, insisting that senators must be adequately consulted on changes affecting the chamber’s rules and operations.

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over a suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The case, filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to bar Jonathan from running for the presidency again, citing Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The plaintiff argues that Jonathan, who completed the term of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and later served a full four-year term, is constitutionally barred from seeking the office again.

Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while INEC and the AGF are the second and third defendants respectively.At the latest hearing, Jonathan’s legal team urged the court to dismiss the suit, citing the absence of the plaintiff.

The matter was adjourned, with the court issuing fresh summons to the AGF and INEC to ensure their appearance.

The suit has sparked fresh debate on term limits and eligibility ahead of the 2027 polls, as political realignments intensify across the country.

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Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is leaning towards building a massive $17 billion oil refinery in Kenya, specifically in Mombasa, rather than Tanzania.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Dangote cited Mombasa’s larger and deeper port as a key advantage over Tanzania’s Tanga port.

The proposed 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery would match the capacity of his landmark refinery in Lagos.“I’m leaning more towards Mombasa because Mombasa has a much larger, deeper port,” Dangote said.

He noted that Kenya has higher fuel consumption and a bigger economy, adding that crude could be imported by ship.

The project, estimated to cost between $15 billion and $17 billion, would require support from Kenyan President William Ruto, including land allocation, local financing, and protection against cheap fuel imports (dumping).

Dangote stated that the “ball is in the hands of President Ruto” and that he could start construction this year if an agreement is reached.

The shift comes after Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan reportedly expressed displeasure over the initial plan to site the refinery in Tanga without proper consultation.

Dangote’s successful Lagos refinery, commissioned in 2023, has been operating at full capacity and has helped stabilise Nigeria’s fuel supply amid global disruptions.

He is also planning to expand its capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says over 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will be deployed for the 2027 general election.

Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, spoke on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to Olakunle Nafiu, the director-general of the NYSC, at the Yakubu Gowon House.

Amupitan said the meeting with the NYSC senior management team was an honour, adding that he was not just on a formal courtesy visit, but on a mission of profound gratitude.

He said corps members have participated in most election cycles since 1999, and that INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC.

“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I am honoured to have the opportunity to discuss our collaborative efforts toward ensuring a seamless and credible electoral process in Nigeria,” he said.

“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members. They are the most dedicated, educated, and patriotic election duty staff we have, and their presence at the polling units brings a level of neutrality and public confidence that is irreplaceable.

“They form the backbone of our election processes, especially as ad hoc staff, whose dedication, discipline, and patriotism are critical to the success of our elections.”

Amupitan explained that for the 2023 election exercise, INEC deployed approximately 1.2 million ad hoc staff, noting that it was a staggering fact that over 70 percent of that massive workforce were drawn from
the ranks of the NYSC and student volunteers.

Speaking on the workforce required for the forthcoming 2027 elections, the chairman said over 1.4 million ad hoc staff would be engaged, with corps members being in the majority as usual.

“For the 2027 general election, we would need 707,384 ad hoc staff (corps members) for the Presidential and National Assembly election on
January 16, 2027; the same number would be required for the Governorship and Houses of Assembly election on February 6, 2027, making a total of 1,414,768,” he said.

“For the Ekiti State and Osun State governorship elections and the bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states, we will need 52,446 corps members.”

The INEC chairman said in many states, corps members accounted for nearly 90 percent of the registration area officers and presiding officers.

“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across the most
difficult terrains of this country,” he said.

“It was the digital proficiency of your corps members that
ensured the seamless performance of our bimodal voter accreditation system
(BVAS), proving they are the tech-savvy backbone of our modern democracy. Their resilience ensured that the democratic process in the Anambra and FCT council polls remained uninterrupted despite local complexities.”

He also acknowledged that the contribution of the corps members had often come at a heavy price, noting that the commission does not take this for granted.

He said the commission remained committed to working with the NYSC and security agencies to ensure that safety protocols are strictly enforced to protect every corps member on duty.

“We are constantly refining our insurance and welfare packages to reflect the value we place on their lives,” he said.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for Rivers State has approved all 32 House of Assembly aspirants believed to be loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The screening exercise took place on Saturday at the party’s state secretariat along Aba Expressway in Port Harcourt, amid heavy police presence.

Prominent names cleared include Chijioke Ihunwo, former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, and Victor Oko Jumbo, who currently represents Bonny in the State Assembly.

Other cleared aspirants span various constituencies across the state.Although there were prior reports of alleged plans to use security forces to intimidate Fubara-aligned aspirants, the police on duty stated that their deployment was solely for the maintenance of law and order at the venue.

Analysts believe the successful screening of the Fubara loyalists sets the stage for a potential showdown between the Fubara and Wike factions during the APC primaries.

The development highlights the deepening political realignments in Rivers State as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

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Gunmen have killed Kolade Eluyera, son of the women leader of the Accord Party in Irewole LGA of Osun state.

The incident occurred on Friday night near Onireke Mosque in Ikire, where the deceased was attacked and shot dead.

His body was later recovered with gunshot wounds.

The development has triggered a blame game between the campaign organisations of Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, and Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the
state.

Reacting to the matter, Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for
the Imole campaign council of Adeleke, alleged that the killing was carried out
by suspected thugs linked to the APC.

He claimed that several prior complaints and intelligence reports about threats, harassment, and attacks on Accord Party members in the area had been lodged with security agencies without any decisive action.

“This disturbing development occurred after several complaints, security reports and intelligence alerts had earlier been lodged… yet no visible preventive or decisive law enforcement action was taken,” Olajengbesi said.

He accused opposition elements of fuelling political tension in the state.

However, Kola Olabisi, co-chairman (print) of the media and publicity committee of the Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji governorship
election campaign council, dismissed the allegation as baseless.

He urged the police to be allowed to conduct an impartial investigation without political interference.

Abiodun Ojelabi, spokesperson of the Osun state police command, confirmed the incident, adding that the lifeless body of the deceased was recovered in Ikire with gunshot wounds.

He added that investigations are ongoing and the commissioner of police has deployed more personnel to the area to restore calm and apprehend the perpetrators.

The killing comes amid heightened political activities in Osun ahead of the governorship election.

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The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday dismissed speculations surrounding his recent trip to Morocco, insisting that the visit was strictly for a family wedding ceremony and not connected to politics or coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja.

The clarification followed growing public interest in the former presidential candidate’s foreign engagements amid ongoing political realignments within the opposition camp.

According to Shaibu, Atiku travelled to Marrakech, Morocco, where he chaired the wedding ceremony of Cherina and Muna Okey Ezeibe on Saturday.

“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, yesterday chaired the wedding ceremony of Cherina and Muna Okey Ezeibe in the enchanting city of Marrakech, Morocco, in what was a remarkable celebration of love, friendship, family, and African unity.

“The event has nothing to do with politics,” the statement read.

Shaibu explained that the event drew dignitaries, family members and close associates from across Africa in what he described as a ceremony marked by elegance and symbolism.

The aide further noted that the ceremony held deep personal significance for Atiku because of his longstanding relationship with the groom’s father, businessman Okey Ezeibe.

“At the heart of the celebration were the proud parents of the groom, Mr and Mrs Okey Ezeibe, who watched with immense joy as their son began a new chapter of life.

“The occasion held special significance given the longstanding friendship and enduring relationship between Okey Ezeibe and His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, a bond built over many years of mutual respect and camaraderie.”

He further disclosed that the bride’s father, Lassina Zerbo, a former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, was also present at the event, underscoring the cross-border significance of the union.

According to the statement, Atiku, while chairing the ceremony, described marriage as “a sacred institution built on love, sacrifice, patience, and mutual respect,” and prayed for peace, prosperity and lasting happiness for the couple.

“Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Marrakech, the ceremony was not merely the union of two individuals, but a celebration of friendship across borders, cultural harmony, and the timeless values that bind families together,” Shaibu added.

Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, has remained a central figure in opposition politics and coalition discussions ahead of the next general elections.

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A 30 year old aspirant, Mahmud Sadis Buba, has completed his screening with the All Progressives Congress for the House of Representatives seat representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency in Kaduna State.

Buba, popularly known as Abin Al-Ajabin Zazzau, drew widespread attention online after videos from the screening exercise surfaced on social media showing him appearing before party officials in traditional attire.

The aspirant’s youthful appearance sparked reactions online, with many social media users expressing surprise after learning he was 30 years old. During the screening, Buba calmly answered questions from party officials regarding his age, family background and reasons for seeking elective office.

He confirmed that he is the firstborn of nine children and said his decision to contest was driven by calls from people in his constituency. “People called me to serve them, and I will serve. I am not doing this for myself,” he said.

When asked what assistance he expected from the party, Buba appealed to the screening committee to clear him after meeting all the required conditions. “Help to pass the screening, having passed the requirements,” he said. Buba also disclosed that he is contesting the APC ticket alongside the current member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives.

Asked why he wanted to replace the serving lawmaker, the aspirant replied: “It is not from me. It is from the people.”

Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has arrived at the Plateau State Government House Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, for screening ahead of the 2027 election.

Fubara is to appear before the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Screening Committee for sitting governors seeking re-election.

The screening is to be conducted by the committee chaired by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

It is reported that he refused to address journalists after appearing before the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship screening committee at the Plateau State Governors’ Lodge in Abuja.

After the screening, Fubara was seen leaving the venue as journalists asked him questions about the exercise.

He, however, declined to speak, responding only with a brief remark: “No comment.”

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule also appeared before the APC House of Representatives screening committee as on Sunday.

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