Northern Senators demand immediate passage of State Police Bill after Adamawa, Sokoto killings

 

Disturbed by the latest killings in Adamawa and Sokoto States, Senators under the aegis of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) have declared that the time for the establishment and functionality of State Police is now.

 

The call was made in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, representing Katsina Central.

 

The Senators specifically urged the Federal Government, State Governors, and State Houses of Assembly to give prompt attention to the State Police Bill currently awaiting ratification.

 

They said the bill should be prioritized through the Presidential Working Group chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President.

 

According to them, “Decentralized policing is critical to improving response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots.”

 

The Forum lamented that bureaucracy should not continue to delay critical security reforms while innocent lives are being lost to insurgents.

 

“We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to insurgents while bureaucracy delays critical security reforms. The time to act is now,” the statement read.

 

The Senators condemned the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Gaya community, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and in Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

 

The attacks, they said, claimed the lives of over 36 Nigerians, including security personnel and innocent worshippers.

 

The Forum also commiserated with families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and speedy recovery of those injured. It further urged State and Local Governments to invest in and strengthen community vigilante groups to serve as intelligence partners to the Police and Military. Authority.

Senator Mustapha resigns from APC, cites lack of internal democracy

 

 

Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC, citing a breakdown of internal democracy and unity in the party’s Kwara State chapter.

 

Mustapha announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC Ward Chairman in Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East LGA of Kwara State.

 

In the letter, he said the decision followed “careful reflection and extensive consultations” with his constituents and key stakeholders.

 

The senator, a founding member of the APC, said recent developments under the current state leadership had departed from the principles on which the party was founded.

 

“I believe political leadership must be anchored on integrity, competence, accountability and a sincere commitment to the collective interest of the people,” he wrote.

 

“The current leadership of the party in Kwara State have fallen short of these standards, and this have eroded my confidence in them,” he added.

 

Mustapha’s resignation comes after he failed to secure the APC governorship ticket for the 2027 election in Kwara State.

 

He had obtained the nomination form and participated in the party’s primary held on May 22. The primary was won by Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, with 94,990 votes.

 

Abdulfatai Seriki polled 41,700 votes to place second, while Bashir Bolarinwa came third with 22,118 votes.

 

Following the primary, Mustapha joined the other two serving senators from Kwara, Oyelola Ashiru and Sadiq Umar, to call for a review of the process, citing the exclusion of legitimate stakeholders.

 

In June, the three senators said the party needed urgent reconciliation to address internal grievances.

 

The resignation also follows reports that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has emerged as the APC’s preferred candidate for the Kwara Central senatorial seat in 2027, the seat currently occupied by Mustapha.

 

The senator, however, said his exit from the APC will not affect his commitment to his constituents. “I remain fully committed to serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria with integrity and dedication,” he stated.

 

Media reports indicate that Mustapha is considering joining the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to contest against Governor AbdulRazaq in 2027. Authority.

 

Obi reiterates consumption to production programme, says: No nation can import its way to posterity

*Peter Obi

 

The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has shared insights into the key message he intends to deliver to Nigerians during the upcoming campaign ahead of 2027.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, Obi suggested that his campaign will serve as a national dialogue focused on rebuilding Nigeria.

Talking about each sector, Obi stated that he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, come from diverse backgrounds and experiences but share a common goal—to improve the living standards of the impoverished among us.

 

Our experiences differ, but our conclusion is clear: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage its public resources responsibly.

Regarding building an economy that works, Obi asserted that “Nigeria needs more than mere reactive reforms. The real questions are: Are Nigerians better off than they were four years ago?

“Can they afford food, education, and healthcare? Can businesses grow, produce, and generate jobs? Can young people secure productive employment? Can farmers work safely and get their produce to market?”

He urged citizens to seek direct answers from leaders, not through proxies or surrogates.

 

“This moment gives Nigerians the opportunity to evaluate the records, ideas, and plans of those seeking their mandate to lead their country at a time of significant uncertainty in our rapidly changing world.

“I consider myself quite privileged to be among those asking for your mandate to address these national challenges. I enter this contest with one firm belief: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work. Nigeria faces numerous serious challenges; some are indeed of existential importance.

 

“According to the IMF, 63%, or over 140 million Nigerians, live at or below the national poverty line, while humanitarian agencies estimate that 35 million people will require food aid during the 2026 lean season.

“About 3.6 million Nigerians remain internally displaced, largely due to conflict and insecurity. Each year, millions of young people join the labour market, yet many struggle to find meaningful opportunities,” he said.

 

On the theme of consumption to production, the NDC flagbearer said, “Nigeria, with a population now exceeding two hundred million and continuing to grow rapidly, has one of Africa’s largest domestic markets and labour forces.

“This is an opportunity we must capitalise on to transform our nation’s future. Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity. We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets.

 

“We will harness our collective experience in public funds management, the private sector, and the civil service to turn our population into productive human capital, our natural resources into value-added industries, and our domestic market into an engine for investment and enterprise.

“Agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries, and services all have vital roles to play. On insecurity, Obi stated,

 

“Insecurity has displaced millions of Nigerians and continues to disrupt agriculture, education, trade, and investment. Our response must therefore be comprehensive. We need to improve intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, strengthen policing and border management, and make better use of technology.

He also addressed several issues including healthcare, unemployment, and democracy, urging citizens to scrutinise their leaders, saying,

 

“Any presidential candidate who lacks the resolve to travel across the country, meet the people, and respond to their questions lacks the capacity to govern it,” he stated.

Erosion: Help yourself before we help you, Govt tells Anambra communities 

The Anambra State Government has declared that government intervention on erosion and flooding will henceforth depend on community action, insisting that the era of impunity on environment and waste management is over.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, who announced this on Wednesday, at the Idemili North Local Government Stakeholders Summit on Environment, with focus on flooding, erosion, waste management and security, disclosed that the government has unveiled a new Citizen Code of Conduct on Environment to tackle environmental degradation across the state.
Mefor pointed out that the government agreed on three key actions, which include full enforcement of Environmental Laws, mandatory catchment pits for all buildings and community action as prerequisite for government intervention.
“Anambra has one of the most comprehensive environmental laws in Nigeria and Governor Chukwuma Soludo has directed full enforcement. Henceforth, all actions by individuals contributing to environmental degradation will be stopped through enforcement. The era of impunity is over,” he declared.
He explained that the Ministry of Environment will soon commence physical inspection of buildings for compliance, with a possible grace period for defaulters, adding that every community must constitute an environmental team to identify and report erosion sites and coordinate remedial action.
“Henceforth, government intervention will be contingent on full compliance with environmental and health standards. Communities that neglect environmental restoration will not receive priority intervention. Communities that demonstrate commitment will be prioritised,” he said.
He urged communities to go beyond identification by clearing drainages, desilting gutters and carrying out small remediation works.
Dr Mefor further announced that as part of activities to mark the 31st anniversary of Anambra State, Governor Soludo has directed the production of up to 20 documentaries on environmental degradation and erosion in the state “so that the whole world, not just Nigeria, can see the scale of the problem”.
The summit, chaired by the Chairman of Idemili North LGA,  Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Clems Aguiyi, Presidents-Generals of communities, youth leaders, market leaders and other stakeholders.

Obi’ll build a secure, prosperous, united, and accountable Nigeria -Media Office, as 2027 campaigns begin

 

 

As the 2027 general elections campaigns begin today, the Peter Obi Media Office has urged Nigerians to vote for Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi as the only contestant who can rebuild the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Media Office said the former Governor of Anambra State is capable of restoring Nigeria by building a secure, productive and accountable country.

Below is the full text of their statement:

 

NIGERIANS, AS CAMPAIGNS KICK OFF- HERE COMES PETER OBI; WE URGE YOU TO LISTEN TO HIM.

 

Nigerians, Section 98(1) of the 2026 Electoral Act states that the presidential campaign for the January 16, 2027,  presidential election will commence today, August 19, 2026, and conclude 150 days later, on January 15 2027. Therefore, in the upcoming 150 days from today, presidential candidates vying for the January 16, 2027, election will engage in an intensive political campaign. Among them is the presidential flagbearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), MR PETER GREGORY OBI, 65-year-old former governor of Anambra State. His media office today officially introduces him to Nigerians as the Candidate of Conscience.

 

Calling a political leader a “candidate of conscience” recognises an operational standard rooted in integrity, frugality, and accountability. In a landscape long characterised by fiscal recklessness and transactional leadership, Obi’s public profile stands out for specific, structural reasons.

 

For us in the Peter Obi Media Office, these 150 days are crucial because they mark a journey that will culminate on January 16, 2027, when Nigerians decide not only who becomes president but also what kind of nation Nigeria will evolve into.

 

This campaign goes beyond a typical political contest. It is a battle between two opposing visions: a Nigeria burdened by old habits of waste, division, and broken promises, and a Nigeria driven by competence, accountability, productivity, and hope.

 

At the forefront of this historic mission is Peter Obi—the candidate whose political identity has become closely linked with prudence, discipline, and public accountability. His campaign message continues to emphasise transforming Nigeria “from consumption to production,” reducing the cost of governance, strengthening education and healthcare, enhancing security, and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.

 

Peter Obi enters this campaign not as a champion of one tribe, one religion, or one region but as a Nigerian seeking judgement based on his record, ideas, and vision. He has consistently maintained that leadership should be defined by competence, capacity, character, compassion, and commitment — not ethnicity or political entitlement.

 

Over the next 150 days, Nigerians will hear many promises. They will witness political rallies, campaign slogans, and passionate debates. Yet the most important question remains unchanged:

 

Who possesses the integrity, discipline, and courage to rescue Nigeria from economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and institutional decay?

 

Peter Obi believes the answer lies in restoring trust between government and the people. He has pledged to reduce the cost of governance, fight corruption through transparency, invest in productive sectors of the economy, and ensure that public resources serve the public good rather than political privilege.

 

This is more than a campaign for votes. It is a call to Nigerians who believe that public office should be an instrument of service, not personal enrichment; that leadership should unite rather than divide; and that every child, regardless of birthplace or background, deserves the opportunity to succeed.

 

From today until January 16, 2027, every speech, debate, manifesto, and campaign stop should be judged by one standard: Which candidate offers the greatest capacity to build a secure, prosperous, united, and accountable Nigeria?

 

Peter Obi will not be asking Nigerians to vote for him because of his ethnicity, religion, or political connections. He asks to be judged by his record, his ideas, and his character. As governor of Anambra State, he consistently portrayed himself as a prudent manager of public resources, emphasising investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure while advocating fiscal responsibility. Throughout his public life, he has argued that government should serve the people rather than those in power.

 

Governance is neither a personal inheritance nor a reward for political loyalty. Obi’s message centres on the conviction that leadership must be earned through verifiable competence, character, and measurable outcomes.

 

Therefore, as campaigns commence nationwide, Nigerians should look beyond slogans and propaganda. They should scrutinise every candidate’s record, ideas, and vision. Democracy is strongest when citizens make informed choices based on facts rather than fear or primordial sentiment.

 

The road to January 16, 2027, begins effectively today. History will remember not only those who sought power but also those who chose the future they wanted for their country. The crucial question before every Nigerian is simple: Who can be trusted to lead Nigeria towards unity, accountability, prosperity, and hope?

The next 150 days will test not only the candidates but also the conscience of the nation. History is calling. Nigeria is watching. The world is watching.

The future is waiting.

 

Let the campaign begin. Let the people decide. And let Nigeria choose hope over fear, competence over propaganda, and conscience over convenience.

We present to you the man who is willing and prepared to reset our country for a journey to greatness. He is Peter (Okwute) Gregory Obi. Listen to him.

 

E-sign

Idris Zekeri Jnr

POMR Spokesman.

August 19, 2026

Rising food prices signals failure of ideas, ADC taunts Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the rising cost of food, accusing the Federal Government of focusing on headline inflation figures while Nigerians struggle to afford basic necessities.
The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday said the latest inflation figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the government had “run out of ideas” in addressing the worsening cost-of-living crisis.
The NBS reported that headline inflation moderated marginally from 15.91 per cent in June to 15.43 per cent in July.
The ADC, however, said the headline figure masked a more troubling development, as food inflation accelerated from 17.52 per cent in June to 20.31 per cent in July year-on-year.
It also noted that food inflation increased from 3.75 per cent in June to 5.56 per cent month-on-month.
According to the party, the figures reflected continued increases in the prices of essential food items, including rice, tomatoes, onions, pepper, beef, eggs and garri.
“While the government celebrates the moderation in headline inflation announced by the NBS, the same report tells a much more troubling story,” the party said.
The ADC argued that the government’s emphasis on core and headline inflation failed to capture the economic reality facing ordinary Nigerians.
It linked the development to an earlier report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which it said indicated that about 35 million Nigerians were facing acute food insecurity, with millions of children at risk of malnutrition.
The opposition party described the situation as evidence of the hardship Nigerians were experiencing under the Tinubu administration and challenged the government to explain why citizens were finding it increasingly difficult to afford food if its economic reforms were working.
The ADC said the administration should be prepared to acknowledge when its policies were not producing the desired results rather than relying on what it described as “things are getting better” propaganda.
“At some point, a responsible government must be willing to admit that it has reached the limits of its capacity and even its best approach has not yielded the desired results,” the statement said.
The party proposed that food security should be treated as a national security issue and outlined a number of measures it would pursue if given the opportunity to govern.
It said an ADC government would adopt an integrated national food production and distribution strategy focused on staple foods consumed by Nigerians.
The party also proposed targeted measures to reduce the cost of agricultural inputs, including fertiliser, seeds, machinery, diesel, transportation and access to finance.
It further identified the security of farmers and farming communities as critical to food production, arguing that agricultural interventions would have limited impact if insecurity prevented farmers from accessing their farms, harvesting crops or transporting produce to markets.
The ADC also called for measures to reduce the cost of transporting food from farms to consumers, citing poor roads, insecurity, transportation expenses and multiple levies as factors contributing to high food prices.
In addition, the party proposed the establishment of a transparent national food reserve and strategic buffer system that would allow government to release essential food commodities when prices rise sharply and purchase from farmers when market prices collapse.
According to the ADC, such a system would help protect both consumers and farmers from extreme price fluctuations.
The party maintained that Nigerians should judge the success of economic reforms not only by headline inflation figures but also by the prices they encounter in the markets.
“The responsibility of government is not to explain that contradiction away. It is to fix it,” the statement said.
Authority.

2027: Presidential campaigns begin tomorrow

 

 

Campaigns for the January 16 Presidential election officially kick off tomorrow in line with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But not yet most of the political parties seem not ready to start immediately.

A survey by The Nation reporters indicated that leading political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) – are not ready yet to go on the stump, nor are smaller parties.

Campaigns into National Assembly offices will also open tomorrow. The elections will be held on the same day as the presidential poll.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC) is being challenged by Peter Obi (NDC), Atiku Abubakar (ADC) and 16 others.

 

“We are not ready to be on the move for five months. It is expensive, energy-sapping and laborious,” a top official of one of the top parties said last night.

 

So far, none of the parties has set up campaign committees or released schedules of activities for the campaigns.

 

The campaign for the presidential and National Assembly elections is the sixth item on the timetable and schedule of activities released by the Commission.

 

It is in line with the provisions of Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides that campaigns by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

 

It is in line with the provisions of Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides that campaigns by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

 

Campaigns for governorship and Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for February 6 next year would kick off on September 9.

 

The parties have up to August 22 to substitute any of their candidates that withdraws from the contest in line with Section 31 of the Electoral Act.

 

According to INEC, the parties have till August 29 to submit candidates’ nomination forms (Form 13A to E) in accordance with Section 30 (1).

 

The final list of nominated candidates is expected to be published by the Commission on September 12 in accordance with Section 32(1), which provides for the publication, at least, 60 days before the election.

 

A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of a major opposition party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said party leaders are not in a hurry to begin campaigns.

 

He said: “We have a five-month window. The party leaders are planning a meeting for the end of the month to discuss the campaign plan.”

 

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, told reporters that plans are underway to unveil a detailed, nationwide campaign programme later in the month.

 

He clarified that while the August 19 date marks the legal commencement of the campaign window, it is not a mandatory requirement for parties to launch rallies immediately.

 

Morka stressed: “August 19 is the date fixed by INEC for all parties to start the presidential and National Assembly campaign. Nation

2027: Defence Ministry assures Nigerians of readiness

The Minister of  Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd) has declared that the Ministry would continue to work closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Defence Intelligence Agency, INEC and other relevant institutions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the Ministry would strengthen inter-agency planning, intelligence collaboration and operational readiness while supporting whole-of-government efforts to preserve peace and protect critical national infrastructure.
Musa stated this during the Blueprint Newspaper’s public annual lecture, and awards ceremony with  the theme, “Security challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 elections” held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Represented by Major General  Olufemi Akinjobi (retd), he pledged continued investment in the professionalism of the Armed Forces, saying the discipline, respect for human rights and fidelity to the Constitution remained essential to public confidence.
The Minister also  clarified the constitutional role of the Armed Forces during elections, insisting that the military has no partisan interest in the outcome of elections.
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria are constitutionally mandated to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and, where lawfully authorised, provide Military Aid to Civil Authority in support of other security agencies.
Musa  emphasised that such support must remain strictly non-partisan.
He said that confidence must be at the centre of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
“Our institutional interest is that Nigeria remains peaceful, united and secure, and that every lawful responsibility assigned to us is carried out with honour, professionalism and accountability.
“The Armed Forces owe allegiance neither to political parties nor to individual candidates. Our allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our loyalty is to the Nigerian people,” he said.
Authority

Northern Senators hail Babangida at 85, credit him for bringing gov’t closer to people

Members of the Northern Senators Forum have felicitates former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, as he clocks 85, hailing his contributions to Nigeria’s unity and governance structure.
In a birthday message signed by Forum Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, the Senators said IBB’s decision to create 11 states between 1987 and 1991 addressed long-standing demands for inclusion.
The new states listed include Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Enugu, Jigawa, Abia, Osun, Taraba, Yobe, Delta, Kebbi, and Kogi.
The lawmakers noted that for Northern Nigeria, the creation of Katsina, Jigawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Yobe and Kogi “brought government closer to the people and opened up rural development.”
They also praised Babangida for moving the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, describing it as a bold step toward national integration.
“That move was a statement of neutrality and long-term planning. Today, Abuja stands as a symbol of Nigeria’s unity in diversity,” the statement read.
The Senators said Babangida assumed leadership at a time the nation “yearned for stability, for calm, and for a sense of direction,” and that Nigeria remained united under his watch.
They prayed for continued good health and wisdom for the former leader, adding that “your boldness in restructuring the federation has earned you a place in history.”
“May the ideals you pursued, of a stable, united, and prosperous Nigeria, be fully realized in our time,” the Forum stated.
Authority.

FG unveils federal-state-private sector model to drive livestock investment

The Federal Government has unveiled a new partnership model involving the Federal Government, state governments and private investors to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock industry and unlock its economic potential.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed the initiative during a ministerial engagement with key stakeholders in the livestock sector in Abuja.
According to a statement by the
Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Henrietta Okokon, at the weekend, participants at the meeting included veterinary professionals, breeders, processors, livestock dealers, investors, civil society organisations and international development partners.
Maiha said the partnership would provide a coordinated framework for tackling longstanding challenges in the livestock industry while creating opportunities for investment, employment and value addition.
He explained that the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, established in July 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was created to provide strategic direction for the implementation of the livestock transformation agenda under the Renewed Hope Administration.
According to the minister, the livestock sector extends beyond cattle and poultry to include sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, camels, rabbits, grass-cutters, snails and honeybees, as well as supporting value chains covering feed, water, veterinary services, transportation, logistics and processing.
Maiha said the Federal Government would focus on policies, technical standards, animal health, food safety, traceability, data management, investment facilitation and regulatory coordination.
State governments, he added, would be responsible for providing land, local infrastructure, community engagement, security coordination and mobilisation of producers, while the private sector would drive investment and commercial activities across the value chains.
The minister disclosed that states with dedicated livestock ministries or agencies had increased from three to 20, describing the development as a sign of growing commitment to the sector.
As part of the new strategy, the ministry plans to establish Federal-State-Private Sector Livestock Development Centres across participating states.
Maiha said the centres would be commercially oriented platforms designed to attract private capital into livestock enterprises selected by states according to their ecological conditions, feed and water availability, market demand and investment prospects.
He stressed that the centres would not be conventional government farms or merely infrastructure projects.
Rather, they would integrate producers, investors and service providers around viable businesses such as breeding, feed production, dairy development, meat processing, abattoirs, cold-chain systems, logistics, leather production, biogas and organic fertiliser. Authority