The Independent National Electoral Commission has denied allegations that it copied a recent press statement from Dada Olusegun, a Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on New Media.

The commission described reports suggesting otherwise as “fake, misleading, and a misrepresentation of facts.”

The controversy followed INEC’s reposting of a press statement originally issued to debunk claims that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, had endorsed a partisan post on X or maintained a personal account on the platform.

The statement, signed by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, on April 10, 2026, described the allegations as “entirely baseless” and a “fabrication,” while warning of cybercriminals using fake accounts in the Chairman’s name.

However, on Sunday, Peoples Gazette reported that Olusegun had posted a similar or identical statement hours before INEC’s publication.

In the report titled “Nigerians react as INEC reposts Tinubu aide’s message,” the publication cited public reactions accusing the electoral body of copying content and raising questions about its independence.

Some social media users claimed the wording was verbatim and suggested coordination with the Presidency.

“An X user, #Mrfestusogun, said, ‘Dada Olusegun posted an INEC press statement 23 hours before INEC even posted it.’”

“Another user, #adeyanjudeji, wrote that ‘the president’s SA on media is the one helping the INEC chairman to debunk allegations of partisanship,’” the report stated.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Sunday, INEC clarified that it did not copy the statement from any third party.

“Any circulation of the statement outside the Commission’s official channels was done independently and not coordinated by INEC.”

“The publication by Peoples Gazette is fake, misleading, and a misrepresentation of facts.”

“INEC’s repost of the statement was solely to amplify accurate information earlier released from the Commission and should not be misconstrued as alignment with any individual or political office holder,” the rebuttal read.

INEC reaffirmed its strict non-partisan stance, saying:

“The Commission remains strictly non-partisan and urges the public to disregard misleading interpretations of its actions.”

It advised Nigerians to rely solely on INEC’s verified official channels for accurate information.

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The police in Ekiti State have arrested two suspects over a robbery attack on the private hostels of the students of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Ekiti State Police Command, SP Sunday Abutu, said that the robbery took place at about 2.30 am on Saturday.

Abutu said in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Saturday that the arrest followed the operations of the Iworoko Police Division, which trailed the robbers to their hideout.

The police spokesperson, who said that police were on the lookout for two other suspects who escaped, said that items including “one unregistered Bajaj Motorcycle used in perpetrating the act, two stolen phones, two stolen MP Digital Radio, stolen shoes and clothes”, among others, were recovered from the suspects.

He stated, “At about 2.30 am on Saturday, a distress call was received from students’ hostels, off campus, Iworoko, that some suspected robbers broke into their hostels, forcibly collected their phones and made away with them.

“Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives from Iworoko Division swung into action, trailed the culprits to their hideouts and arrested two, while others escaped.

“During interrogation, the two suspects arrested, one Abdulraman Abdulmumini, 26 years old and Abdulsalam Oseni, 31 years old, confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned other gang members who are currently at large.

“Investigation is underway, and the arrested suspects are helping with necessary information that will aid the process for the possible arrest of the fleeing suspects as well as the recovery of other stolen items.”

According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, urged members of the public to continue to support the police with credible information that will assist the command to arrest criminal elements and curb criminal activities.

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Social media influencer Blessing Okoro, widely known as Blessing CEO, is under fresh scrutiny as Nigeria’s police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate claims of fraud and document forgery linked to a fake cancer diagnosis.

The controversy erupted after Okoro publicly claimed she was battling stage four breast cancer. She shared what appeared to be a medical report and appealed for financial support from her followers, reportedly raising around N13 million.

However, inconsistencies in her story soon surfaced. The Delta State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association disowned the histology report she circulated, confirming it originally belonged to Deborah Mbara, a real breast cancer survivor from Asaba.

Mbara has accused Okoro of obtaining and doctoring her medical document under the pretense of comparing results.

In a video, Mbara explained that she had met Okoro professionally as a makeup artist in 2025 and later offered support after seeing the influencer’s claims.

She said she shared her report only for comparison, never expecting it to be altered and used for fundraising.

Okoro later walked back parts of her claim in an interview, admitting she did not have stage four cancer while insisting she raised only N13 million and owed no apologies.

Her lawyer, through Mbara, has since petitioned the EFCC, citing violations of the Cybercrime Act and other laws.

The petition alleges the influencer generated significantly more funds potentially over N300 million by moving money between accounts opened specifically for the appeal.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer Edefa Bright confirmed receipt of petitions and said investigations would proceed once complainants provide statements.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated that the agency received a petition and would act based on its findings.

Mbara’s lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, described his client as traumatized by the public exposure of her private medical records.

He claimed Okoro initially apologized and agreed to a public retraction but failed to follow through, reportedly saying she “thrives on controversy.”

Legal experts and medical bodies have condemned the alleged actions. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Monday Ubani called it “clear deception and obtaining by false pretence,” urging prosecution if evidence is found.

The Nigerian Cancer Society also demanded a thorough investigation.

The Delta NMA and the original pathologist have offered to support any official probe to protect professional integrity.

As of the latest reports, attempts to reach Okoro for comment were unsuccessful, and her Instagram account with millions of followers has been deactivated.

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Popular Nollywood Actor, Zubby Michael, who recently picked up the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ticket has indicated interest in running for a House of Representatives seat for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency  of Anambra State.

The actor declared his intention on Saturday when he picked
the ticket in his hometown, Ozubulu ward 5, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.

Recall that Zubby officially joined the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The move is coming when several celebrities from the South-East are moving into the ruling party to solicit support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The celebrities are leading the All Progressives Congress, APC City Boys Movement in the region.

Recall that Zubby’s alignment with the
opposition party may have a significant impact on the much anticipated general
elections, especially in Anambra State.

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The federal government has ordered the withdrawal of passports from Nigerians who have renounced their citizenship.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, issued the directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in a statement signed by Alao Babatunde, his media aide.

Tunji-Ojo said the move applies to individuals whose renunciation requests have been approved by the president, adding that such persons are no longer entitled to hold Nigerian passports.

The minister cited provisions of the 1999 constitution to justify the directive.

“(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation,” the statement reads.

“(2) The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.”

Tunji-Ojo said persons who ceased to be citizens cannot retain sovereign documents.

He said the directive is part of efforts to strengthen citizenship integrity, noting that the move aligns with ongoing passport and visa reforms.

“We will continue to strengthen systems that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel while preventing unauthorized or ineligible access,” he added.

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President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the severe hardship caused by rising fuel prices but urged Nigerians to remain grateful, saying the situation is still better than what citizens in Kenya and other African countries are facing.

Tinubu made the remarks on Friday, April 10, 2026, while inaugurating key infrastructure projects in Bayelsa State.

The projects commissioned include a 60-megawatt gas turbine power plant at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area, the 630-metre Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road, and a 2.9-kilometre dual carriageway in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Speaking to stakeholders at the event, the President said:“It is very important that we are honest with our people. Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy.

“The fuel price is biting hard, but look around, let us thank God together, that you are better off. Listen to them in Kenya and other African countries and what they are going through. We will not look back. We will continue to find ways to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable.”

The President’s comments come amid widespread complaints over the high cost of petrol, which has continued to rise following global energy disruptions.

According to the report, the ongoing Middle East conflict triggered a sharp increase in global fuel prices after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil shipments.

The restriction was temporarily lifted following a two-week ceasefire agreement with the United States.

The conflict reportedly began on February 28, 2026, and ended with the peace deal 48 hours before Tinubu’s visit.

The President assured that his administration remains committed to easing the burden on ordinary Nigerians while pressing ahead with economic reforms.

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A former Lagos State governorship candidate Funso Doherty has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Lagos governorship election under the African Democratic Congress.

The declaration was made on Friday at an ADC meeting and announced by ADC Vanguard, the coalition mobilization wing of the party, on X.

“With all humility, I would like to announce my candidacy to be the next governor of Lagos state,” Doherty said in a video clip shared by the group.

ADC Vanguard said the party had a strong candidate in Lagos in Doherty.

“Indeed the ADC (the main opposition party) has a strong and sellable candidate in Lagos State,” it posted.

Doherty’s declaration comes weeks after he resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, where he had been a member since 2024.

In a resignation letter posted on his X handle on March 29, he cited a court ruling that nullified the PDP’s 2025 convention and deepened factional divisions within the party as the reason for his exit.

He argued that the judgment effectively handed leadership control to a faction aligned with figures backing the re-election of the ruling All Progressives Congress, a development he said he could not support.

“I will not be a party to sustaining this tragic travesty. The people of Lagos State, many of whom have waited far too long for meaningful improvement in their day-to-day lives from the actions of their government, deserve much better than that,” he said at the time.

Doherty had previously contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election under the ADC before defecting to the PDP.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed sorrow over the bandit attack on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, which claimed the lives of dozens of civilians and security personnel.

Atiku reacted to the incident in a statement shared via his official X handle on Friday.

“The tragic attacks on the Bagna and Erena communities, which claimed many lives including numerous security personnel, are profoundly heartbreaking.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families, especially those of the fallen heroes, and urge the government to take more decisive action to protect civilians, facilitate swift relief efforts, and bolster support for frontline forces. May the departed rest in peace, and may
enduring peace return to our land.”

It was reported that no fewer than 61 bodies of security operatives and civilians killed in the attack had been recovered.

Residents in the area stated that the corpses were retrieved
from surrounding bushes days after the incident.

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Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has raised alarm over the compromise of her personal email account by hackers, warning members of the public to disregard any messages sent from the address.

In a statement shared via her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that her email account, aodabiri@yahoo.com, had been breached by unknown cyber actors.

She cautioned that any correspondence purportedly originating from her email or any other address should be ignored pending the restoration of full control of the account.

In her tweet, she said: “Please be informed that my email account (aodabiri@yahoo.com) has been compromised by hackers.

“Kindly ignore any emails purportedly sent from me using this or any other address until I regain full control of the account. I will unfortunately not be able to respond to the thousands of emails that must have accumulated during this period.”

The NiDCOM boss also appealed for patience and understanding from associates, noting that the breach has disrupted her ability to attend to official and personal communications.

She assured that efforts are underway to secure the account and restore normal operations.

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