The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • Atiku Reacts to Fintiri’s Defection, Says 2027 Will Be Tinubu/APC vs Nigerians

    Atiku Reacts to Fintiri’s Defection, Says 2027 Will Be Tinubu/APC vs Nigerians

    Former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has declared that the 2027 election will be a straight fight between Bola Tinubu and the APC on one side, and the Nigerian people on the other.

    Reacting to the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, Atiku made this known in a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office, Abuja, dated February 27, 2026.

    The former presidential candidate stressed that political realignments are not new, adding that every politician is free to choose a path and that he respects that right.

    Asserting that even his children were free to take independent political positions, the coalition Chieftain argued that anyone — including his son — who chooses to stand with Nigerians rather than the APC is standing on the side of patriotism.

    Atiku warned that the wave of defections by opposition governors is not a sign of APC strength, but evidence of pressure and intimidation. He accused the Tinubu administration of weaponizing state institutions to bully political opponents in a desperate bid to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

    “This government fears accountability. It fears credible elections. It fears the people,” he said.

    According to him, no amount of coercion can erase the daily hardship Nigerians face — rising hunger, crushing poverty, worsening insecurity, and mass unemployment caused by failed economic policies.

    “Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival.”

    Atiku urged citizens not to confuse political cross-carpeting with popularity.

    “What will the APC campaign on in 2027 — hunger? hardship? hopelessness?”

    He reminded Nigerians that power ultimately belongs to them and warned against vote-selling.

    “Do not trade your future. Do not mortgage your children’s tomorrow. In 2027, the people will have their say — and their will shall prevail.”

  • BREAKING: INEC Shifts 2027 Elections, Fixes New Dates for Presidential, NASS, Governorship Polls

    BREAKING: INEC Shifts 2027 Elections, Fixes New Dates for Presidential, NASS, Governorship Polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, adjusting key dates following the enactment of the new Electoral Act, 2026.

    In a statement issued on Thursday by Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.

    The Commission had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential poll and March 6, 2027, for governorship elections under the now-repealed Electoral Act, 2022.

    Why the Change?

    According to INEC, the review became necessary following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities.

    “The Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement signed by National Commissioner Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna read.

    Key Milestones for 2027 Elections

    INEC also released critical timelines for political parties and candidates:

    · Party Primaries: April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026 (including resolution of disputes arising from primaries)
    · Presidential/NASS Campaigns: Commence August 19, 2026
    · Gov/State Assembly Campaigns: Commence September 9, 2026

    The Commission warned that campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day as provided by law, adding that it would enforce strict compliance with all electoral timelines.

    Osun Governorship Election Rescheduled

    INEC also announced the rescheduling of the Osun State Governorship Election from Saturday, August 8, 2026, to Saturday, August 15, 2026.

    The Commission noted that while some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been conducted, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

    The Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election has been uploaded to the Commission’s official website and other communication platforms for public access.

    INEC called on all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and civil society organisations, to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.

    “The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility,” the Commission stated.

  • Rangers FC Mourns El-Kanemi Warriors Chairman Ibrahim Maina Mustapha

    Rangers FC Mourns El-Kanemi Warriors Chairman Ibrahim Maina Mustapha

    The Management and Staff of Rangers International Football Club have expressed their heartfelt condolences to El-Kanemi Warriors FC following the passing of the club’s Chairman, Ibrahim Maina Mustapha.

    In a club statement issued on Thursday, the club extended their sympathies to the entire El-Kanemi Warriors family, describing the loss as a painful moment for Nigerian football.

    “We pray for the eternal rest of the departed and for strength and comfort for his immediate family and the El-Kanemi Warriors family during this difficult time,” the statement read.

    The death of Ibrahim Maina Mustapha has drawn reactions from across the Nigerian football community, with colleagues, players, and administrators mourning the loss of the respected football administrator.

    Rangers International FC, based in Enugu, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most successful football clubs, with a rich history of rivalries and camaraderie with other NPFL sides, including El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

    The Flying Antelopes, as Rangers are popularly known, prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and for divine strength for all those mourning his passing.

  • JAMB targets N23.8bn IGR in 2026

    JAMB targets N23.8bn IGR in 2026

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set an ambitious revenue target of N23.8 billion as internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2026 fiscal year, marking a N4 billion increase over its 2025 projection.

    The target formed part of JAMB’s 2026 budget defence presented at the National Assembly on Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, chaired by Muntari Dandutse.

    Leading the presentation, a director in the Office of the Registrar, Dr Muftau Bello, disclosed that N6 billion of the projected revenue would be paid into the Federation Account as operating surplus.

    According to him, the examination body is proposing a total budget size of N30.6 billion for 2026, out of which N23.8 billion is expected from internal sources, while N6 billion will be remitted to the Federal Government.

    Bello stated: “A total budget profile of N30.6 billion is proposed for 2026. Out of this, N23.8 billion is projected as internally generated revenue, while N6 billion will be paid into the Federation Account as operating surplus.”

    Reviewing JAMB’s performance in the 2025 fiscal year, the director informed the committee that the agency recorded N18.5 billion in IGR, with N4 billion remitted to the federal treasury.

    On preparations for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), he revealed that 1,000 accredited examination centres have been established nationwide — an expansion from fewer than 800 centres in 2025.

    The development, he said, was aimed at improving access, reducing overcrowding and enhancing the overall examination experience for candidates.

    Impressed by the agency’s financial discipline and operational efficiency, members of the committee commended the leadership of Professor Oloyede, describing JAMB’s performance as commendable.

    Senator Yohanna Amos urged the board to consider a further reduction in the N3,500 UTME registration fee, citing the prevailing economic hardship facing many Nigerian families.

    Responding, Bello explained that the fee had already been significantly reduced under the current administration. “The examination fee used to be N5,000 before the present registrar reduced it to N3,500,” he said. Sun

  • CJN Inaugurates Justice Oyewole as Supreme Court Justice

    Justice Olubunmi Oyewole (PHOTO CREDIT: thenation)

    The Supreme Court regained its full complement of 21 justices after the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, inaugurated Olubunmi Oyewole as a justice of the court on Wednesday.

    Mr Oyewole replaces former CJN Olukayode Ariwoola, whose retirement in 2024 left the South-west region’s slot on the Supreme Court bench vacant. Mr Ariwoola’s exit reduced the court’s number of justices to 20.

    Swearing in Mr Oyewole at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja on Wednesday, Ms Kekere-Ekun reiterated the court’s unwavering commitment to strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice.

    She said that although the court’s traditions are rich and its responsibilities weighty, its strength lies in disciplined scholarship, ethical fidelity, and collective wisdom.

    She urged Mr Oyewole to contribute meaningfully to the coherence of the court’s jurisprudence and the clarity of constitutional interpretation.

    The CJN said, “Your elevation today reflects the confidence reposed in you by those institutions and, by extension, by the Nigerian people. The oaths Your Lordship has taken represent a covenant, binding in conscience and in law.

     

    “It demands moral courage when decisions are unpopular, restraint when passions run high, and steadfastness when pressures, subtle or overt, seek to intrude upon judicial independence.

    “At this level of adjudication, scrutiny is intense and commentary often instantaneous. Your compass must remain fixed upon the constitution and the law.’’

    She reminded the new apex court justice that he is called upon to decide according to law and conscience, free from fear, favour, affection, or ill-will.

    “Where Your Lordship’s considered conviction differs from that of your brother justices, Your Lordship must have the courage to dissent with courtesy and precision.

    “A principled dissent, expressed with intellectual honesty, is not a fracture of unity; it is often the seed of future doctrinal growth.’’

    The CJN noted that with the elevation of Mr Oyewole, the court now stands at its full constitutional complement which is no small milestone.

    “A full court enhances our capacity to sit in robust panels, to manage our docket more efficiently.

    “It will ensure that the business of the nation’s apex court proceeds with renewed vigour and dispatch. It enriches intellectual diversity, and reinforces the stability of our jurisprudence.

    “For a court whose pronouncements shape the legal destiny of the nation, numerical completeness is structurally significant to the effective discharge of our constitutional mandate.’’

    She reiterated that judgments of the apex court do not speak only to the parties before it; they speak to generations yet unborn.

    “The authority of this court rests not on force, but on the moral weight of its reasoning, the discipline of its processes and the integrity of men and women privileged to serve on its bench.

    “At this level, the judicial function transcends the resolution of disputes.

    “It demands stewardship, careful guardianship of precedent, principled development of the law, and unwavering allegiance to constitutional supremacy.

    “A Justice of this court must possess the courage to affirm settled doctrine where stability demands it, and the wisdom to refine it where justice and constitutional fidelity so require.’’

    Mr Oyewole’s appointment follows his recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) at its 110th meeting held in January and presided over by the CJN.

    Subsequently, in January, Mr Tinubu wrote the Senate to screen Mr Oyewole and confirm his appointment.

    On 3 February, the Senate confirmed the proposed appointment following the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central).

    Mr Oyewole’s inauguration will restore the Supreme Court bench, currently with 20 justices including CJN Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to its full complement of 21 justices.

    Mr Oyewole, who hails from Ila Orangun, Osun State, began his judicial career as a High Court judge in Lagos.

    Incidentally, he was appointed to the Lagos State High Court bench by Mr Tinubu as then-governor of Lagos State on 24 May 2001.

    Reputed for judicial courage and high-level ethics and professionalism, Mr Oyewole, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal bench on 24 March 2014, has been in the limelight since his days as a High Court judge, handling sensitive, high-profile cases.

    In 2005, he jailed Emmanuel Nwude, Nzeribe Okoli, and Amaka Anajemba for their roles in defrauding a Brazilian bank of $242 million.

    The scam, considered to be one of the largest financial frauds globally at the time, was perpetrated under the guise of constructing a fictitious airport in Nigeria. The fraud led to the collapse of Banco Noroeste in 2001.

    He also sentenced Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, widely known as Reverend King, to death by hanging at the on 11 January 2007, for the murder of church member Ann Uzoh and the attempted murders of others.

    In October 2009, he sentenced Bode George, a stalwart of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to 30 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, abuse of office and alleged illegal award of contracts worth N84 billion while he was chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

    In January 2011, the Court of Appeal, affirmed the judgement considered to be courageous at the time. But the Supreme Court overturned the conviction and sentence in December 2013. (NAN)

  • Enugu Takes Lead in Tech, Innovation as Enugu Tech Fest 2026 Begins

    …NITDA Donates Laptops to Participants

    …₦10 Million Awarded to Winners of Enugu Tech Design Thinking Challenge

    Enugu State has taken the lead in technology and innovation as the second Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2026) begins, transforming a state once known for coal extraction into a hub for coding and technology. The festival marks a historic moment, with Enugu hosting one of the largest tech festivals in Africa.

    The second edition of the festival kicked off on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the International Conference Center, Enugu, under the theme “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form”, focusing on innovation and transformation driven by technology.

    In his speech, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, said technology and innovation remain at the heart of Enugu’s transformation under his administration, urging youths to explore the abundant opportunities in both fields.

    Mbah expressed happiness that, with imagination and courage, his administration is building a resilient Enugu State where infrastructure works, institutions are digitized, schools produce problem-solvers, and technology quietly powers every aspect of life.

    “In three years, we moved from concept to execution. We strengthened security, not only through manpower but through AI-embedded systems that allow faster response and better oversight.

    “We invested in roads, transport, and essential services. We expanded the state’s digital backbone and are building the foundation for reliable electricity.

    “We moved core government functions onto digital platforms. Processes became traceable, delays reduced, decision-making improved, and governance began to operate with greater clarity and efficiency.

    “We introduced Geographic Information Systems into land administration. This has reduced processing time, safeguarded land rights, and brought credibility to our real estate market, earning national recognition for excellence in geographic information services.”

    He emphasized transforming the formal education system to enable students across all levels to research, design, and test using digital tools as part of everyday learning.

    Mbah also highlighted the creation of innovation hubs to nurture talent outside the formal education system, urging youths to maximize these opportunities.

    “Our statewide learning system encourages collaboration across fields rather than isolation, with technological systems embedded throughout. There is no reason the next breakthrough in edtech, fintech, agritech, or healthtech cannot emerge from Enugu State.

    “Therefore, I say this to our youth: Master artificial intelligence; study robotics; learn cybersecurity; explore semiconductor design; build products that solve real problems.

    “A hundred years ago, Enugu was known for what it extracted — coal. Let this generation be known for what it designs,” Mbah concluded.

    In his welcome address, Enugu State’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, described the festival as a defining moment in Enugu’s digital journey, noting that the state has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading tech ecosystems. Thousands of youths have been trained through various initiatives, and innovation hubs have been established since the inaugural tech festival in 2025.

    Ezeh outlined the festival’s key objectives: strengthening partnerships, launching pilot projects in agriculture, healthcare, and green energy, promoting sustainable business practices, and expanding digital infrastructure.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, urged Enugu youths to take advantage of the opportunities Governor Mbah is creating for their future.

    Similarly, the Founder and Chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, encouraged youths to believe in themselves, stating that with the foundation laid by Governor Mbah, no Enugu resident will face poverty going forward.

    Citing personal experience, the Managing Director of Tenece Group, Kingsley Eze, urged Enugu youths to look inward, noting that unlike when they started and succeeded, Mbah has created an environment for tech and innovation to thrive.

    The Enugu Tech Eco-System Design Thinking Challenge awarded winners a total of ₦10 million to help transform their designs into viable startups.

    Speaking to PACESETTER, Damilola Bakare, Communications Manager of the Design Thinking Challenge, emphasized that this year’s festival aims to provide practical experience through a six-month training program under the Design Thinking Challenge. She noted that participants have already completed the first three months and are now entering the incubator phase, which will culminate in at least three viable businesses emerging from Enugu.

    Olamide Israel, a participant of the Design Thinking Challenge under Team-Make Up, described the experience as life-changing, explaining that it taught him how to design innovations with the people, not just for them, by understanding their needs.

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), led by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, gifted laptops to participants who completed programs on tech-related courses such as cybersecurity, data science, digital awareness, and programming.

    The event attracted several tech giants, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps, including the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Anna Westteholm, and the Consul General of Denmark in Lagos, Jette Bjerrum.

  • Court Declines Hearing El-Rufai’s Bail Plea For Anticipated DSS Detention

    Court Declines Hearing El-Rufai’s Bail Plea For Anticipated DSS Detention

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, declined to hear a bail application by the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on his anticipatory detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The court held that, since the former governor was not yet in the custody of DSS, talking about whether or not to grant him bail was premature. The court, therefore, adjourned to April 23.

    During the proceedings, lead counsel for the prosecution, Oluwole Aladeloye (SAN), informed the court that the defendant was not in court as he was still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    Counsel to the DSS argued that, following El-Rufai’s absence in court, the issue of his bail as raised by the defense counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, did not arise at the stage.

    In a brief ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, upheld the argument of the DSS that, since the defendant had not been formally arraigned, the issue of bail was premature. The judge adjourned till April 23 to enable the DSS liaise with the ICPC on how to produce the former governor in court.

    The DSS had slammed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and for breaching the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

  • Nigerian Oil Tycoon Loses $43M Dividends Battle To Daughters

    Nigerian Oil Tycoon Loses $43M Dividends Battle To Daughters

    Twin sisters Ameena and Zara Indimi have won a $43.51 million court ruling against their father, billionaire oil magnate Mohammed Indimi, following a prolonged dispute over unpaid dividends. The verdict has now thrust one of Nigeria’s most prominent business families into public scrutiny.

    The Federal High Court ruled that Oriental Energy, the oil firm controlled by Indimi, must pay the sisters the full amount. According to court filings, the twins argued that their shares were reduced without their consent during a major dividend distribution, leaving them excluded from what they were owed. Ameena and Zara jointly held a 10% stake in the company, entitling them to a portion of the $435 million payout.

    The sisters claimed their holdings were sharply cut without agreement, blocking them from receiving millions linked to the firm’s offshore operations. “We were shut out of a huge dividend pool,” the twins stated in court documents, underscoring the financial stakes involved.

    The ruling has turned a previously private family disagreement into public news, due to both the size of the sum and the profile of the business family involved. Oriental Energy is a major private player in Nigeria’s oil sector, and the family has historically tried to keep such matters out of the spotlight.

    Reports suggest that the dispute may extend beyond the twins, with other relatives reportedly engaged in debates over ownership shares and whether prior payments should be treated as gifts or settled dividend entitlements.

    The case also sheds light on private business operations in Nigeria, where financial and ownership details are often kept confidential. While the court did not provide a detailed breakdown of how the $43.51 million was calculated or the timeline for payment, the ruling clearly affirmed the sisters’ entitlement, giving them a stronger position as the case moves forward.

    An appeal or enforcement process could prolong the resolution for months, but the judgment has already shifted the balance of power within both the family and the company, turning a dispute over missing dividends into one of Nigeria’s most closely watched private business battles.

  • Abia Airport: Government Begins Final Compensation Payment to Nsulu Landowners

    Abia Airport: Government Begins Final Compensation Payment to Nsulu Landowners

    The Abia State Government has commenced the final phase of compensation payment to landowners and farmers affected by the acquisition of 1,025 hectares of land for the proposed Abia Airport in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.

    In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Chaka I. Chukwumerije, confirmed that the land was acquired in accordance with the Land Use Act, 1978, for the overriding public purpose of developing the airport.

    The affected communities, according to the statement, include Umuala, Umuomainta, Umuezeukwu, Umuode, Umuosu, and Ubaha.

    The Commissioner disclosed that full compensation has been paid to all landowners and farmers within the airport runway area, clearing the way for project work to proceed. Payment to claimants outside the runway area commenced on February 23, 2026.

    To ensure transparency and accountability, the government published and shared the compensation list and claims survey with the affected communities in December 2025 for thorough vetting. Payments were temporarily paused to allow the review process to be completed.

    Chukwumerije stated that specific concerns raised during a reconciliation meeting with community representatives, led by Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike, were thoroughly reviewed. Disputed claims are currently being investigated before any payment may be made on them.

    A general town hall meeting was held on February 18, 2026, to brief the communities and announce the final payment phase. At the meeting, the government reassured affected persons that all compensation will be paid in full.

    The government also reiterated its commitment to a transparent and fair compensation process, with zero tolerance for corruption.

    “Any proven reported sharp practice will be dealt with in strict accordance with the law,” the Commissioner warned.

    Based on the payment schedule released, claimants are advised to visit the Ministry of Lands for due documentation and full payment of their compensation.

    The Abia Airport project represents a major infrastructure development for the state, expected to boost economic activity, create jobs, and enhance connectivity when completed.

  • Veteran Journalist Onukwube Ofoelue, Founder of Jungle Journalist Media, Dies at 48

    A well-known voice in Nigerian journalism has gone silent. Mazi Onukwube Thankgod Ofoelue, a veteran journalist and founder of Jungle Journalist Media Limited, is dead.

    He passed away on the evening of Monday, February 23, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 48 years old.

    His elder brother, Mazi Obozuluike Ofoelue, announced his passing in an obituary issued on behalf of the Ofoelue Family of Ezi Nde Ukpabi, Ugbo Village, Arochukwu.

    Mazi Onukwube Ofoelue was described as a journalist who practised his profession “with deep passion, integrity, and unwavering commitment to truth.” He founded Jungle Journalist Media Limited, through which he contributed to media development and reportage in Nigeria.

    “Our family is devastated by the loss of a most resourceful and loving brother — a man of courage, vision, and dedication. His absence leaves a painful void in our hearts and in the media community he so passionately served,” the family statement read.

    The late journalist’s death has sent shockwaves through colleagues, friends, and associates who knew him as a dedicated media professional committed to ethical journalism.

    Burial arrangements will be announced later by the family.

  • Tinubu Appoints Tunji Disu as Acting IGP Following Egbetokun’s Resignation

    Tinubu Appoints Tunji Disu as Acting IGP Following Egbetokun’s Resignation

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, following the submission of his letter citing pressing family considerations.

    President Tinubu received Mr Egbetokun’s resignation earlier today and expressed his profound appreciation for Egbetokun’s decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation. The President acknowledged his dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.

    Appointed in June 2023, Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027, in line with the amended provisions of the Police Act.

    In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.

    The President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period.

    In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation.

    The President reiterates his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen attack Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, other ADC chieftains in Edo

    BREAKING: Gunmen attack Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, other ADC chieftains in Edo

    Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, erstwhile National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress were on Tuesday allegedly attacked by suspected thugs in Edo State.

    Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

    The statement read, “Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    “They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”

    In photos and videos sent by Tanko, several SUV windscreens were smashed, while the gate leading to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence was riddled with bullets.

    The alleged attack occurred during political activities surrounding the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata as an ADC member, heightening concerns about political tensions in the state.

    Tuesday’s reported attack in Edo adds another layer of tension to an already charged political atmosphere, as opposition figures continue to challenge recent electoral outcomes and raise concerns about the safety of political actors and the state of Nigeria’s democracy.

    The incident comes barely 24 hours after the ADC candidate in the Abuja Municipal Area Council chairmanship election, Dr Moses Paul and the Obidient Movement on Monday rejected the outcome of the February 21 poll, alleging widespread irregularities and insisting that the declared results did not reflect the true will of the people.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Christopher Maikalangu of the APC as the elected chairman of AMAC, having scored the highest number of votes cast — 40,295 out of the total 62,861 valid votes.

    Paul finished second with 12,109 votes, while the People’s Democratic Party candidate garnered 3,398 votes.

    However, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Paul accused INEC of mishandling the election, citing alleged voter suppression, result manipulation, intimidation of party supporters, and vote buying across several wards.