The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned what it described as a gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State allegedly targeting former Edo State governor, John Oyegun, party leader Peter Obi, and Olumide Akpata.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of fostering what it termed a climate of political intimidation, alleging that recent developments in Edo State point to a broader pattern of hostility against opposition figures.

The ADC described the reported attack as an assault on democratic principles, arguing that the use of violence or threats against political actors undermines constitutional governance.

The party also criticised Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, accusing him of making statements that heightened political tension in the state.

It referenced comments allegedly attributed to the governor regarding security guarantees for opposition figures visiting the state, as well as claims linking the ADC to cult-related activities.

According to the statement, no elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten or intimidate political opponents, stressing that Nigeria operates under democratic norms that guarantee freedom of speech and assembly.

The ADC further warned that any harm to its leaders or supporters amid what it described as escalating hostility would have serious consequences, insisting that responsibility would lie with those it accused of promoting provocation.

It added that it is documenting what it called acts of intimidation against its members and plans to submit reports to diplomatic missions and the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

A short video circulating online and shared by Oyo Affairs captured the moment Makinde arrived at the meeting venue, where he exchanged pleasantries with Kwankwaso and other attendees before the discussions commenced.

While the agenda of the meeting was not made public as of press time, political observers believe the engagement may not be unconnected with ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting comes weeks after Makinde and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, visited the Uphill Mansion of former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, in Minna, Niger State — a development widely interpreted as part of early political alignments.

Kwankwaso recently returned to the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport following what the NNPP described as strategic international engagements in India.

His return also coincides with reports of a proposed bill before the United States Congress in which he was reportedly named among individuals recommended for targeted sanctions over alleged religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Makinde nor Kwankwaso had issued an official statement on the outcome of their discussions.

The video🎥

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed April 23, 2026, for the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged unlawful interception of communications.

The adjournment followed his absence in court on Wednesday when the matter came up for arraignment.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had filed a three-count charge against the former governor, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting communications.

The charges stem from comments he made during a television interview in which he allegedly claimed that he and others listened to conversations from the phone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoyin, informed the court that El-Rufai remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds.

The court had earlier scheduled February 25 for his arraignment but was unable to proceed due to his absence.

Consequently, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to April 23 to enable the defendant appear before the court.

Earlier, the Federal Government, through the DSS, instituted the action at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, listing the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and El-Rufai as the sole defendant.

According to the charge sheet, the government alleged that the former governor admitted during the interview that he and unnamed associates intercepted telephone conversations belonging to Ribadu.

While he reportedly acknowledged that such actions were unlawful, he was said to have suggested that illegal surveillance was not uncommon.

By Chinedu Adonu

Hundreds of indigenes of Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State on Tuesday staged a protest in Enugu, rejecting what they described as moves to retain the council chairman, Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, for a second term.

The protesters, drawn from the five communities of the council area, converged at the Enugu Press Centre before proceeding to the Enugu State Government House, where they submitted a position paper to Governor Peter Mbah, urging him to uphold the existing zoning arrangement in the area.

Led by representatives from Mpu, Oduma, Nenwe, Ndeaboh and Okpanku, including Mrs Stella Ekweremadu, Godwin Ezebuilo, Orji Victor, Loisa Achieze and Gabriel Uklabi, the demonstrators accused the chairman of incompetence, poor leadership and alleged mismanagement of public resources.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as

“Maintain Zoning in Aninri,” “It Is Not Oduma’s Turn,” and “Equity, Fairness and Justice Must Prevail,” the protesters insisted that the chairmanship position should rotate in line with the long-standing understanding among the towns.

They argued that Oduma community had previously occupied the chairmanship seat for six consecutive years and that Okpanku had completed only one tenure before the office allegedly returned to Oduma, disrupting the rotational balance.

According to them, although the earlier arrangement was accepted in the interest of peace and loyalty to the state government, the forthcoming local government election presents an opportunity to restore equity.

They maintained that beyond zoning, performance and competence should be critical considerations in leadership selection, alleging that the current administration had failed to deliver meaningful projects across the local government.

The protesters further claimed that no major public infrastructure had been completed under the present leadership, alleging that while communities struggle with inadequate potable water and poor road conditions, attention had allegedly been diverted to personal projects.

They also raised concerns over what they described as questionable financial decisions and asset acquisitions, calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of council funds.

Appealing directly to Governor Peter Mbah, they stressed that zoning had been defended at the state level as a stabilising principle and should equally be respected within Aninri to preserve peace and unity.

“Peace in Aninri has always rested on fairness. When zoning is respected, there is harmony. When it is ignored, tension arises,” the group stated, urging the governor to ensure that the chairmanship position rotates to the appropriate community in line with established precedent.

Responding to the allegations, the council chairman, Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, dismissed the claims as politically motivated and unfounded.

He maintained that his administration has been aligning with the reform-driven policies of Governor Peter Mbah, particularly in the education sector.

He explained that the overdraft secured by the council was used to fence the ten Smart Green Schools in the area to protect them from vandalism.

Nwanjoku called for a clear distinction between politics and governance, insisting that his administration remains focused on service delivery and grassroots development in Aninri.

The All Progressives Congress has revised its timetable for the forthcoming zonal congresses and national convention, extending the deadline for the purchase and submission of nomination forms.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC announced that aspirants will now be able to obtain and submit their forms between March 12 and March 23, 2026.

According to the updated schedule, the party has already concluded its ward, local government and state congresses in most parts of the country.

The zonal congress is set to hold on March 25, 2026, while the national convention will take place from March 26 to March 27, 2026.

Morka clarified that the extension only affects the timeline for the purchase and submission of forms and does not alter the previously announced dates for the congresses and convention.

He also disclosed a change of venue for the South-South zonal congress, which will now be held in Asaba, Delta State.

The party added that official notice of the adjustments has been duly communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission in compliance with legal requirements.

The APC urged members and stakeholders to take note of the revised dates and complete all necessary processes within the stipulated timeframe.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed allegations of result manipulation at the Kuroko Health Centre polling unit in Yangoji Ward, Kwali Area Council, following Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aminu K. Idris, the commission described as false and misleading the viral claim that a political party polled 1,219 votes at the unit.

According to INEC, the officially recorded and uploaded result from the polling unit showed that the party secured 121 votes, not 1,219 as circulated on social media.

The clarification came amid reports questioning how the polling unit, with 345 registered voters and 213 accredited voters, could produce what observers described as a mathematically impossible figure.

INEC explained that the confusion stemmed from a human error made by the presiding officer during result documentation.

After an initial ballot count, the officer entered “122” for the party but later conducted a recount in the presence of party agents and observers, which confirmed the correct figure as 121.

To effect the correction, the officer cancelled the last digit and inserted the accurate figure, also amending the result written in words to reflect 121.

The commission stressed that its technological safeguards, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, make large-scale manipulation of figures impossible.

It noted that the number of accredited voters stood at 213 and that the total votes recorded were consistent with the accreditation data captured by the BVAS.

INEC further stated that any attempt to input an inflated figure such as 1,219 votes would have been automatically flagged and rejected by the system.

Reassuring residents of the FCT, the electoral body maintained that results used for collation at both ward and area council levels were consistent with BVAS records and complied substantially with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

It urged members of the public and media commentators to verify claims with official sources before drawing conclusions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that while genuine clerical errors may occur, they are promptly detected and corrected, and do not alter the officially declared results.

The Edo State Government has rejected allegations by former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, that members of his political camp were attacked by government officials during a recent engagement in the state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the government described the claim as false, malicious and a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.

The statement said the administration of Governor Okpebholo neither authorised nor condoned any attack on political actors, irrespective of party affiliation.

“The Edo State Government has noted with concern the allegation by former Anambra State governor and Labour Party figure, Peter Obi, claiming that members of his political camp were attacked by government officials in Edo State,” the statement read.

It added that no directive was issued by the governor or any arm of government to target members of any political party, stressing that the allegations were unsubstantiated and capable of creating unnecessary political tension.

The government recalled that the governor had earlier clarified his position on high-profile political visits to the state, noting that his remarks were guided strictly by his constitutional responsibility as Chief Security Officer, and not by political hostility.

According to the statement, Governor Okpebholo had consistently advised that politically exposed persons notify relevant authorities ahead of major public events to allow for adequate security coordination in the interest of public safety.

The government further alleged that the controversy may be linked to internal wrangling within the African Democratic Congress.

It claimed that on Monday, a faction of the party led by former Senate Chief Whip, Roland Owie, was prevented from attending a meeting at the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun due to an internal dispute, which reportedly required police intervention to restore calm.

Describing attempts to link the incident to the state government as mischievous, the administration said such narratives were aimed at casting aspersions on its performance.

The government urged political actors to verify their claims before making public statements capable of overheating the polity, reiterating its commitment to protecting all residents and visitors while upholding constitutional rights to lawful movement and association.

It maintained that its priority remains governance, public safety and economic development, not political persecution.