Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso has been announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, in Kano State.

Mustapha will be running alongside Aminu Gwarzo, who is the NDC governorship candidate.

Mustapha Kwankwaso is the first son of the NDC vice presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

This was confirmed by the Spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Habibu Saleh Mohammed, in a statement on Monday.

“HE Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo unveiled Hon Mustapha Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso as running mate for the 2027 Governorship Election,” he said.

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President Bola Tinubu has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his swift execution of key projects in Abuja, describing him as “Mr Fix-It.”

Speaking at the commissioning of the newly built Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted Wike’s dedication and efficiency.

Tinubu noted that when he appointed Wike in May 2024, he was confident the minister would not “sleep” until the project was delivered.

By July of that year, contractors were already on site, and within 16 months the complex was completed without delays or cost variations

.“This is not just a building; it’s a statement under the Renewed Hope Agenda that justice must have a befitting home,” Tinubu said.

“For too long, the Abuja division operated from a cramped temporary space. Today, Nigerians can see the difference. Well done, Wike.”

The Court of Appeal complex, located in Dakibiu, is part of Tinubu’s third-anniversary achievements and underscores his administration’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law.

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Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has attributed the inability of Nigeria and other countries to procure military equipment needed to tackle insecurity to the ongoing conflicts
involving Israel, Iran, the United States, Russia and Ukraine.

General Musa equally decried the absence of a comprehensive national database, saying it was hindering the efforts of security agencies, particularly the police, in tracking criminals and preventing crimes.

The minister made the statement on Saturday while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja.

He noted that global conflicts had disrupted access to military hardware, making it imperative for Nigeria to strengthen local defence
production.

“With the war in Ukraine, Russia, Iran, the U.S. and Israel, it’s been extremely difficult getting equipment.

“Because most times, they do down payment because they have the money and they produce most of these items. So even when you go to get,
they have booked for them, and so it’s difficult.

“The only solution is for us to produce what we need,” he said.

He pleaded with the National Assembly to support the creation of a comprehensive database for Nigerians, describing it as critical
to effective policing and national security.

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The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy a nationwide digital postcode system aimed at strengthening security, combating fraud, improving emergency response, and boosting e-commerce.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Monday at a workshop in Abuja themed “Operationalising the Nigerian Digital Postcode for National Security and Public Safety.”

Tijani explained that the initiative will assign a unique digital address to every building in Nigeria, including rural areas, enabling security agencies, businesses, and public institutions to accurately identify and locate people and properties.

The first rollout phase is scheduled for October, with coverage expected across several states before year-end.

“This is not a pilot programme; it is a full-scale national infrastructure,” Tijani said, stressing that the system will enhance crime investigations, emergency services, border monitoring, and anti-money-laundering efforts.

The Postmaster-General of NIPOST, Ms. Tola Odeyemi, assured that the system will be implemented with strict privacy safeguards and in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

She noted that failed deliveries currently cost businesses between ₦50bn and ₦80bn annually, losses the new system aims to reduce.

Citizens will be able to access the digital addresses via mobile apps, USSD codes, and online platforms, with AI-powered routing features to improve logistics and delivery efficiency.

Representatives of the National Security Adviser emphasized that the initiative will significantly improve policing, intelligence gathering, disaster management, and financial crime investigations.

The project forms part of broader investments in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, including the deployment of 90,000km of fibre-optic cables, 3,700 telecom towers, and enhanced satellite connectivity.

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Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu on his second term bid in the 2027 general elections, saying there will be no more wasting of votes.

Soludo declared his support on Monday in Ebonyi State at the All Progressives Congress, APC, rally.

According to him, progressives are now working together for the collective interest of the country and the region, urging the people of the South-East to align with mainstream national politics, stating that the region would no longer play the politics of lamentation.

“No more wasting of votes again. I’m endorsing President Tinubu for a second term. I stand in solidarity because progressives are working together. Igbos should not waste their vote again,” Soludo said.

The former Governor of the Central Bank, CBN, added that the South-East operated as a reliable voting bloc for the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, a strategy aimed at securing federal relevance.

Watch video:

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Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth
Okonkwo, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over reports that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket may pick its
vice-presidential candidate from the South-South region.

In a post on X on Monday, Okonkwo described the reported decision as “unfortunate” and warned that it would amount to the continued marginalisation of the South-East, which he noted has neither produced a president nor vice president since 1999.

He argued that denying the South-East the opportunity to produce either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate of the ADC in the 2027 election would amount to an “unpardonable injustice.”

Okonkwo also referenced the role of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, saying the party founder made significant sacrifices by relinquishing control of the party to facilitate the coalition aimed a producing a better Nigeria.

“I heard from social media that the ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is
unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.

“I did not join the coalition to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it would amoun to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027,” Okonkwo
wrote.

The actor-turned-politician stated that the only request he made to Atiku, whom he said had previously presented himself as a pathway to a South-East presidency, was to demonstrate that commitment by selecting a running mate from the region.

Okonkwo said that if reports of a South-South vice-presidential nominee are confirmed, he would not be willing to campaign for the presidential ticket in 2027.

He maintained that he entered politics to fight for a Nigeria where no region or group is marginalised and insisted that the South-East deserves representation on the presidential ticket.

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Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, says Senate President Godswill Akpabio thinks he is the devil, alleging that there are many agents he does not know.

Oshiomhole made this remark on Sunday during a Mic on Podcast interview, warning that the 11th Senate will not be like the 10th Senate.

When asked if he had become a threat to Akpabio, the former Edo state governor stated that fellow senators are quietly complaining about the approach of Akpabio’s leadership style.

“He is paranoid about everything that has to do with me. Everybody in the Senate knows that if Sen. If Akpabio has his way, he will lock me out of the Senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I’m probably the devil he knows.

“However, there are many agents he doesn’t know, and the 11th Senate will not be the 10th Senate. This I can say, senators are groveling about his style of leadership,” he said.

Recall that the sour relationship between both former governors, who are now senators started when the Senate amended its rules ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

The rift escalated into a volatile shouting match on the floor of the Nigerian Senate when the upper chamber amended Orders 4 and 5 of its standing rules.

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Global crude oil price dropped to $82 a barrel on Monday as the United States, Israel, and Iran reached a deal to end the Middle East war on all fronts including Lebanon, and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, went down by 5 percent to $82.90 per barrel.

The last time the oil trade at this range was in March.

The US West Texas Intermediate ​crude also fell 4 percent to hit $80 per barrel.

When the conflict began in February, Brent had risen from $62 on February 16 to $79 per barrel on March 2 amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

In the course of the war, oil price rose as high as $125 per barrel in April.

However, the recent drop follows the announcement of a deal to end the conflict.

According to reports, the United States and Pakistan said the agreement to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, was to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, signalling what would be a major breakthrough to ending months
of war that have taken thousands of lives and roiled energy markets.

Few of the details were made public, but US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil supplies, would reopen after the planned signing of the deal.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump posted Sunday on social media.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Soon after, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said in televised comments that the deal put an “immediate end” to the countries’ war and that they would hold talks within two months to seek a “final agreement”.

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The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam
in Anambra state, has dismissed five lecturers over alleged s#xual abuse,
harassment, intimidation, extortion, and other forms of misconduct.

In a statement on Sunday, Harrison Madubueze, spokesperson
of the university, said the decision was taken at the 122nd meeting of the
university governing council held on June 12.

According to NAN, those dismissed include C.C. Nwabachili, the immediate past dean of the Faculty of Law, and Chike Osegbue of the
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Others are I.H. Iheukwumere and Emeka Nwabunnia, both of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Uli Campus.

Also dismissed was Ifeoma Kakulu, a principal assistant registrar, who served as the examination officer of the Faculty of Law in the examinations unit, at the time the offences were allegedly committed.

Madubueze said the affected staff members were found culpable of offences ranging from s#xual abuse and harassment, to intimidation,
extortion and ethical misconduct.

He said the council reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, integrity and accountability within the institution.

“The council reaffirmed its stance on discipline and integrity, warning that actions tarnishing the university’s reputation would face severe consequences,” the statement reads.

“It also promised to ensure a safe, accountable and forward-thinking atmosphere, aligning with the vision of building a new university for the future.”

The university spokesman said the disciplinary action underscored the institution’s resolve to uphold ethical standards and maintain
public confidence in its academic and administrative processes.

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