₦airaland Forum

A fresh controversy has erupted over flooding along sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, defending President Bola Tinubu against criticism from former lawmaker Dino Melaye.

Melaye had posted a 15-second video on X (formerly Twitter) showing a flooded stretch of the coastal highway, with vehicles cautiously navigating waterlogged sections, raising concerns about the durability of the multi-billion-dollar project.

But in a strongly worded open letter obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, Omokri dismissed the criticism, attributing the flooding to the natural geography of Lagos rather than any engineering failure.

He also warned the former lawmaker against attributing the phenomenon to governmental failure.

He noted that Lagos Island, one of the few places in Africa at or below sea level, experiences regular flooding, a situation worsened by climate change.

“Dear Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye,” Omokri wrote, “Thank you for raising this observation. However, please note that Lagos Island is one of the few places in Africa that is either at or below sea level. As such, and even more so because of climate change, the island will experience regular flooding.”

He emphasised that the incident captured in the viral video was not unusual and should not be attributed to the quality of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

“This phenomenon has nothing to do with the quality of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway or any supposed failure of President Tinubu. It is happening as a result of a fact of nature,” he stated.

Omokri further drew comparisons with the Netherlands, noting that even advanced nations with sophisticated infrastructure experience periodic flooding.

“The Netherlands is an industrialised and developed European country. But despite their technological advancement, many of their roads are flooded annually, worse than what you are mocking Lagos for.

Please fact-check me: On multiple occasions this year alone, the Dutch government announced temporary road closures due to flooding,” he added.

Defending the design of the coastal highway, Omokri said engineers had incorporated flood-mitigation features into the project.

“I have been on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and listened to the engineers and technical staff as they gave a briefing on the road. It is built to anticipate flooding and mitigate its effects. Give it some hours after the rainfall, and the floods will gradually dissipate,” he said.

He continued, “Flooding is not new to Lagos, particularly on the Island and coastal corridors where large portions of land sit at or below sea level. Seasonal heavy rainfall, poor drainage, rising sea levels, and rapid urbanisation have historically combined to inundate major roads, disrupt traffic, and damage property.

“Over the years, successive administrations in Lagos have implemented measures such as drainage expansion, lagoon dredging, and shoreline protection. During his tenure as governor, Tinubu initiated large-scale land reclamation projects, most notably the development of Eko Atlantic City, built on reclaimed land along the Atlantic coastline.”

Omokri referenced this project in his defence, saying, “Rather than mock President Tinubu over this issue, which is normal for low-lying islands, all Nigerians should be proud that, despite this hazard, President Tinubu, as Governor of Lagos, was able to reclaim land from the sea by sand filling an area the size of Manhattan in New York.

“That 10 million square metres of reclaimed land, now known as Eko Atlantic City, is presently the most expensive real estate in Sub-Saharan Africa and is worth $6bn in 2026, an amount greater than the GDP of all but ten Nigerian states.”

He added that flood-control initiatives introduced during Tinubu’s administration, including mobile barriers and lagoon dredging, had helped protect Lagos from more severe coastal threats.

“You may also recall that it was this same Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who, as Governor, introduced mobile flood barriers and the dredging of the Lagos Lagoon, which, according to international environmental groups, is credited with saving much of Lagos from being submerged by the sea, as has recently occurred in Indonesia, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Argentina.

“Rather than mock such a man, who could add $6bn to the GDP of Nigeria with just one idea, I think every reasonable person should be proud that we have such an asset at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, which may explain why the IMF listed Nigeria as the sixth largest contributor to global GDP growth in 2025, a fact celebrated by Elon Musk, the world’s richest man.

“I do hope these facts will give you a new perspective on the issue of Lagos. Thanks again, and may God bless you,” he concluded.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a legacy federal infrastructure project, is designed to run along Nigeria’s southern corridor, linking Lagos to Cross River State.

The project is expected to boost regional trade, tourism, and connectivity, while opening up coastal economies.

However, since construction began, the highway has faced scrutiny over environmental concerns, cost implications, and now its resilience to flooding.

Experts say coastal highways worldwide often contend with flooding risks, especially in low-lying regions exposed to tidal surges and heavy rainfall.

They note that such roads are typically designed with drainage systems, elevated sections, and erosion control mechanisms to manage water flow.

As construction progresses, the durability of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway amid Nigeria’s evolving climate realities is likely to remain under close public and expert scrutiny.

For many years, enrolment figures into Nigeria’s Technical Colleges were low. This was due to the society and parents’ apathy towards Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The Technical Colleges became science based than a place where students could learn practical training and acquire required skills. It was an annual ritual for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) to lament on the low focus on TVET.

Last year, President Bola Tinubu turned the tables on TVET which led to huge admission seekers into Federal and State Technical Colleges. The President’s focus was to make TVET as the anchor for national development.

The Federal Science and Technical Colleges were renamed Federal Technical Colleges. Enrolment into Junior Secondary Schools in the colleges were scrapped.

Checks showed that admission seekers into the FTC for the 2025/2026 session soared by 287.76%. A total of 7,546 students enrolled for the TVET examination in 2024 while 29,260 students enrolled for the examination in 2025 after President Tinubu rolled out incentives for TVET students. The incentives included free tuition, payment of N22,500 monthly stipend and start-up package after graduation.


For a successful implementation of the President’s initiative, the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), was introduced to technical education for a dual-mode and dual certification a reality through NABTEB assessments.

On Monday, the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) begun a five-day visit to Nigeria to understudy the country’s TVET architecture.

Chairperson of the Finance, Human Resource & Administration Committee who lead of the Ugandan delegation to NABTEB, Engr. Albert Akovuku, said they specifically choose Nigeria to foster a partnership rooted in excellence and the shared advancement of TVET.

Engr. Akovuku explained that the Uganda goverment, as part of its vision 2040, merged the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) and the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) to form UVTAB whose mandate include technical education. He said the Uganda’s vision 2040 envisioned a transformed economy powered by a skilled and adaptable workforce.

“We have specifically chosen Nigeria for this engagement because your TVET architecture, pioneered and refined by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), serves as a sophisticated blueprint for our own reforms.

“We recognize NABTEB’s decades-long contribution to Nigeria’s economic resilience, a journey that precedes and inspires Uganda’s current transformation".

“Our aspirations are anchored in Uganda’s Vision 2040. We seek to move beyond theory, transitioning toward a digital, industry-led, and competency-based assessment model that empowers our workforce to solve real-world problems.”

Engr. Albert Akovuku, expressed optimism that the interactions would culminated to a meaningful exchange of knowledge and the eventual signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

“Such an agreement will not only formalize our collaboration but will serve as a cornerstone for a sustainable, bilateral TVET framework that benefits the youth of both Uganda and Nigeria.

Honorable Minister, we are ready to learn, to share, and to build together.”

Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, called on the meeting to come up with a roadmap for a stronger, more integrated, and more impactful TVET assessment partnership between Nigeria and Uganda.

Dr. Mohammed urged UVTAB to explore the possibilities of mutual learning and bilateral cooperation.

He said Africa’s development story could not be complete without a strong, well-coordinated, and credible TVET assessment framework, adding that, the coming together of NABTEB and UVTAB was a powerful step in the right direction.

According to him, “This visit carries an extraordinary significance not just for NABTEB and UVTAB as institutions, but for the broader TVET landscape across the African continent.

“Nigeria and Uganda are two great nations united by a shared vision to harness the transformative power of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a catalyst for sustainable economic development, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.

“This benchmarking visit is a deliberate, strategic engagement of minds, a convergence of purpose, and the beginning of what promises to be a robust and enduring partnership.”

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, said the visit reflected shared commitment to strengthening TVET systems across Africa.

Represented by Assistant Director, Technology and Science Education, Mr. Kolawole Osundeyi, the Minister said the Nigeria government has strengthened State Technical Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) through infrastructure upgrades, curriculum modernization, and improved teacher capacity development, thereby enhancing practical skills acquisition.

His words, “In an era defined by rapid technological change, evolving labour market demands, and increasing global interdependence, collaboration among sister institutions such as UVTAB and NABTEB is both strategic and necessary.

“I commend the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) for this initiative and for choosing NABTEB as a partner in this important exercise.

“It is therefore my expectation that this benchmarking visit will produce actionable outcomes, deepen institutional linkages, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of TVET in our respective countries.”

Ugandan govt delegation visits to understudy Nigeria’s Technical, Vocational Education model

https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/20/ugandan-govt-delegation-visits-to-understudy-nigerias-technical-vocational-education-model/

Some Nigerians and armchair analysts are often quick to criticise the Federal Government for perceived shortcomings in security, highlighting isolated incidents such as kidnappings, improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and attacks in parts of the country.

Such perceptions, however, tend to downplay and discount the heroic exploits of members of the Nigerian armed forces, saddled with the responsibility of countering the evil machinations of God-forsaken non-state actors, who operate like guerrillas.

My position is reinforced by the security reports I receive daily from Zagazola Makama, a journalist who has emerged as a counter-insurgency expert in Nigeria.

This past week alone, Zagazola inundated me with reports from multiple theatres, indicating that our troops are making significant gains in the asymmetrical war against insurgents, terrorists, ISWAP, Boko Haram, IPOB, bandits, kidnappers, and crude oil thieves.

Let’s begin with some heartening news that made headlines on Monday. A few days ago, some newspapers sensationally reported that gunmen kidnapped 14 passengers of a Benue Links bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo.

Seventeen passengers were in the bus, among them eight youngsters going to write the UTME. Three of the passengers escaped from the clutch of the abductors.

On Sunday, April 19, troops of Sub-Sector 1B, OPWS rescued the remaining 13 passengers following a search-and-rescue operation conducted in a forested area in Ohimini Local Government Area.

“Security sources,” according to Zagazola, “clarified that the perpetrators were local criminal elements in Benue and not Fulani bandits as initially speculated in some quarters.

The media hastily attributed the attack to external groups without proper verification”.

Those rescued include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22), Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29) and Akor Jessica (19).

The victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Otukpo for medical attention, as some of them sustained varying degrees of injuries during their captivity.

Later, some of the victims had a photo-op with Governor Hyancinth Alia, who appealed to JAMB to set another examination for the traumatised youngsters.

The incident illustrated a growing trend of locally grown criminality, where local elements exploit familiar terrain and community networks to carry out abductions.


On Saturday night, April 18, troops were alerted by gunshots along the Kpashio- Ansa Road in Bassa LGA of Plateau State.

They rapidly responded and found three wounded victims of the gun attacks by the roadside. They were travelling on a motorcycle when they came under a burst of gunfire.

The gunmen stole the motorcycle. The troops evacuated the three victims to a nearby hospital. One died, and two survived.

On the same April 18, troops under Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace arrested two suspects in Jos North Local Government, one of them, Khalid Usman, for stabbing a police inspector.

The other suspect, Ali Izang, was arrested at about 0615 hrs near the Correctional Centre. He had a round of 7.62mm ammunition.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace also arrested nine ethnic militiamen responsible for targeted killings.

They recovered arms and ammunition following an operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, amid ongoing security concerns linked to recurring attacks and cycles of violence in the area. The suspects were arrested at about 0135 hours

On April 18, 2026, when troops deployed at Ganawuri responded to reports of the suspects moving towards the Danwal area.

The troops intercepted and apprehended the suspects, who were found with blood stains on their bodies, raising suspicion of recent involvement in silent killings.

Items recovered from them include three motorcycles, one pistol, one submachine gun, one locally made revolver rifle, 20 rounds of pistol ammunition, and one locally fabricated rifle, among other items.

The arrest came amid sustained insecurity in parts of Plateau State, where communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and surrounding areas have witnessed repeated incidents of violent attacks and reprisals.

Across these flashpoints, the patterns are consistent, which suggests that perpetrators of violence are not faceless outsiders operating in isolation.

“Sources said that the suspects were currently in custody, providing information, and are responsible for carrying out a series of attacks in recent months, which have escalated violence and reprisal attacks in Plateau State,” Zagazola reported.

In recent months, security reports have indicated a pattern of violence involving Fulani bandits and armed elements of the Berom operating within local communities.

The most recent development occurred on April 13 at about 0700 hrs, when troops under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) conducted a search-and-rescue operation in Ariri and Kwasha villages of Bassa LGA following reports of a missing herder.

During the operation, troops discovered the corpse of the herder and recovered 32 cattle alive, while three others were found dead.

The troops handed the remains of the herdsman and livestock to community leaders.

On the same day, troops responded to intelligence on an illegal settlers’ camp in Ungwan Doki, Riyom LGA, where four suspected migrants were arrested.

On April 12, at about 1440 HOURS, troops restored calm after a clash between farmers and herders in Rakum village, Barkin Ladi LGA. Five locals, two herders, and a police officer sustained injuries after being attacked by the Berom Militia. The troops arrested one suspect.

Earlier, at about 1222 HOURS in Rasa village, troops foiled another attack on a herder by suspected armed Berom elements and evacuated the injured victim to the hospital.

At about 2100 HRS, troops responded to sporadic gunfire along Hukke–Rewienko road in Bassa LGA, repelling attackers and rescuing an injured civilian.

In a related development, at about 1800 HOURS, troops foiled an attempted cattle rustling incident in Kpashio village, recovering 92 cattle reportedly abandoned by fleeing suspects.

Within the same period, armed Berom Militia engaged troops of Operation Enduring Peace in a heavy gun battle in Barkin Ladi. The troops killed five of the attackers.

Later that same day, the corpses were hastily buried by the community to avoid the determination of the identity of the attackers.

On April 11 at about 2145 HOURS, troops responded to an ambush in the Tanjol community, where a 21-year-old resident, Joseph Irmiya, was attacked by Fulani bandits. The victim later died from injuries.

Shortly after, troops intercepted an attempted attack on the Rim community by Berom militants, where one youth sustained gunshot wounds.

Separately, troops conducting stop-and-search operations in Kuru, Jos South LGA, at about 2030 HOURS, arrested two suspects in possession of a pistol and ammunition.

Troops have continued operations across flashpoints in Riyom and neighbouring LGAs, with authorities maintaining that sustained patrols, arrests and recovery of arms are aimed at restoring lasting peace in the area.

Still in Plateau, troops of Operation Safe Haven reported the suspected poisoning of nine cattle in Rakum Village, Kassa District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The cattle belonged to one Dauda Jalo. Some Berom youths were suspected of poisoning the grazing field. An incident like this is usually the precursor of a reprisal attack in the community, as the cattle owner wants to take the blood of humans as a form of revenge for his dead cattle.

This is one incident, along with cattle rustling, that has made peace elusive on the Plateau for decades.

In Borno state, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised two terrorists on April 18 as they foiled an attempted attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP along the Kirawa- Pulka axis.

The insurgents, riding on bikes, along with others, were trying to infiltrate the Ngoshe axis when the troops of 153 Task Battalion confronted them.

The others escaped, as their comrade in arms fell to our troops’ superior firepower. The troops recovered a walkie-talkie radio set from the neutralised insurgents.

In Yobe, troops arrested three ISWAP logistics suppliers during an operation in the Damaturu Local Government Area.

The suspects, believed to be linked to ISWAP and Boko Haram elements, were apprehended at about 3:00 p.m. on April 15, 2026, by troops of 233 Battalion in collaboration with members of a local hunters’ group.

Also in Borno on 16 April, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled a terrorist attack in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on April 16, 2026, when the terrorists launched an assault on troops of Headquarters 29 Task Force Brigade, the second time in recent days.

According to the sources, the troops engaged the attackers in a firefight, forcing them to retreat in disarray. The soldiers pursued the fleeing insurgents but did not make further contact.

On April 17, troops of Operation Hadin Kai discovered and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Mairari town along the Gajiram axis of Borno State.

The device was detected at about 9:00 a.m. by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and route-scanning team deployed from a Forward Operating Base in the area.

The IED, found at the edge of the town’s exit gate, raises concerns about potential threats to both civilians and security personnel using the route.

In Auchi, Edo state, troops of 195 Battalion, responding to a distress call, foiled a kidnap attempt on the morning of August 16 at Iyuku in Jattu. Before the troops arrived, three of the kidnapped victims had overpowered one of the kidnappers and seized his Ak 47, loaded with nine rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The troops pursued the rest of the kidnappers. They rescued other kidnapped victims, arrested five of the kidnappers, and handed them to the DSS for justice.

In the North West, soldiers of 8 Division repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Garin Hillo Village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of April 17, when troops deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gatawa responded to reports of terrorist activities in the area.

On arrival, the troops made contact with the attackers and engaged them in a shootout, forcing the attackers to retreat. Further inquiry revealed that about 30 armed terrorists had stormed the village on foot, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.

As a result of the attack, six civilians sustained gunshot wounds. The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Sabon Birni for medical attention.

Troops continue to dominate the area to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents.

In central Nigeria, troops of 12 Brigade under Operation MESA destroyed a suspected terrorist camp and intercepted a logistics courier in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The operation on April 16 was carried out in the early hours following credible intelligence on the presence of a suspected terrorist camp between Ejiba and Ofi communities.

The troops, in conjunction with Police and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), mobilised from their Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Egbe and advanced to the location.

During the operation, the troops intercepted a suspected courier on a motorcycle who was delivering food items to the camp.

However, the suspect fled on sighting the troops, abandoning the motorcycle and the items. The troops proceeded to locate and destroy the suspected camp. No firefight between the troops and the terrorists.

Again, this incident shows how civilians collaborate with the terrorists.


In the East, on April 16, Joint security forces comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and Civil Defence Corps conducted a fighting patrol in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, leading to the discovery and safe disposal of improvised explosive devices. The operation took place at about 9:50 a.m. within the Uda general area.

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team discovered two improvised explosive devices during the patrol and safely defused them.

On the international front, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, participated in a high-level counterterrorism panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 in Türkiye, where leaders and experts discussed strategies for countering violent extremism, stressing international cooperation and intelligence sharing.

I have taken the time to present this comprehensive account of the recent heroic exploits of the Nigerian armed forces to underscore that our troops are resolutely prosecuting this asymmetric war, fearlessly defending us all, and making sacrifices—some paying the supreme price.

Challenges remain, and the battle is far from over. However, what the armed forces and government deserve from us is appreciation and commendation, not condemnation and vilification.


Onanuga is Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy

Former Adamawa North Senator Ishaku Abbo has mentioned when he will officially announce his party, amid the crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Senator Abbo promised to announce his new political party later this weekend.

The former All Progressives Congress (APC) federal lawmaker announced his decision on Monday, April 20, 2026, via his
Facebook page.

Abbo’s exit from the ADC came barely 48 hours after Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed’s camp, popularly known as Binani, withdrew from the party.

“I will officially announce my party this weekend. My supporters and those who want to run for office in Adamawa state and win in 2027 should wait for me. I will lead you to victory.”

The former lawmaker expressed confidence that 10 months to the 2027 elections is enough for him to emerge winner.

Senator Abbo said he is in touch with the grassroots and has mobilised people for the past 3 years across the northeast state.

“We have over 10 months to the elections, and you are telling me that it's too late to move to a new party and win the election?

“I have moved around Adamawa state, embedded myself with the grassroots, and mobilised people for the past 3 years. Wait and see me win.”

He said Peter Obi moved to the Labour Party (LP) barely 6 months to the 2023 presidential elections and won in 12 states same as Tinubu, whose ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been in power for 8 unbroken years.

Former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has turned down an appeal by former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to shelve his 2027 ambition in his favour.

It was learnt that the appeal was made at a meeting in Abuja over the weekend at the residence of the former Rivers State governor.

Amaechi, Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have all declared their intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Senator David Mark.

Obi and Amaechi have repeatedly said they would not serve as running mates in 2027.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed party primaries between April 23 and May 30 this year. Parties are mandated by law to select candidates through direct primaries or consensus arrangements.

However, a source at the weekend meeting disclosed that the former Labour Party presidential candidate, accompanied by a former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, and Senator Victor Umeh, appealed to Amaechi to support Obi’s ambition to clinch the ADC presidential ticket.

The source, however, said the former minister “politely rejected the request of the former presidential candidate”, noting that his decision to contest the presidential election was serious and not mere grandstanding.

A social media video emerged showing Amaechi, Obi, Umeh and Udenwa exchanging pleasantries outside the Abuja residence of the former transportation minister.

Attempts to get reactions from Obi, Udenwa and Umeh were unsuccessful as of press time. They did not respond to text messages sent to them, nor did they return a series of phone calls.

Similarly, Amaechi did not respond to calls and SMS messages. One of his aides, who pleaded anonymity, said he was not aware of the meeting.

A staunch ally of Amaechi and ADC chieftain, Chief Eze Eze, confirmed to LEADERSHIP that the former transportation minister would not be stepping down for anybody.

He said: “Amaechi believes that if he loses the primaries, he would support whoever wins and would expect the same support from other contenders if he wins.

“I am not aware of such a meeting. Even if such a meeting was held, it has nothing to do with Amaechi’s aspiration to govern this nation.

"The only thing I know is that Amaechi is of the opinion that if he loses the ADC presidential ticket, he will support and even direct the campaign organisation of such a winner.

“In other words, if he wins, he expects the losers to also support him accordingly. As of now, Amaechi is not stepping down for anybody,” he added.

Also, Obi’s media aide, Dr Valentine Obienyem, said he was not aware of the visit but promised to find out from his principal and respond to the report. He had yet to revert as of press time.

There is growing urgency among embattled opposition figures within the African Democratic Congress (APC) as they accelerate contingency plans, settling for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) as a fallback platform ahead of critical electoral deadlines.

The move comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the ADC, which has become entangled in multiple court cases and created uncertainty over the party’s legitimacy going into the 2027 election cycle.

A key trigger for the latest political manoeuvres is the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for submission of party membership registers.

INEC has fixed May 10 as the deadline, a timeline that effectively determines who can participate in party primaries.

Under the Electoral Act, only individuals captured in a party’s membership register before submission can contest in primaries, making early alignment with a political platform critical.

Under the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were required to maintain a comprehensive register of their members and make this available to the INEC before the date fixed for their primaries, congresses, or conventions.

This provision, contained in Section 77(3) of the Act, was designed to ensure transparency and credibility in the nomination process, allowing INEC to verify the authenticity of party membership and participation in primaries.

INEC has recently fixed May 10 as the deadline for the submission of the registers, effectively making it about three weeks from today.

Although the law did not expressly stipulate a deadline for when an aspirant must join a political party, this requirement has created a de facto cutoff point.

Once a party submits its membership register to INEC ahead of its primaries, the window for new entrants effectively narrows, as only individuals captured in that register would be eligible to participate in the nomination process.

Besides, any attempt to introduce new members after that stage could face legal scrutiny, particularly in the event of post-primary disputes.

This is further reinforced by provisions governing candidate nomination. Section 29(1) of the Act mandates that political parties must submit the names of their candidates to INEC not later than 180 days before the date of the election. Those candidates must have emerged from valid primaries conducted by their respective parties, making prior membership a fundamental requirement.

ADC’s case is even more complex in the context of internal party disputes. Where factions within a party submit conflicting membership registers or conduct parallel primaries, the question of which process was recognised by INEC, and ultimately upheld by the courts, could determine the validity of candidates.

In several instances, Nigerian courts have nullified nominations arising from processes deemed to have violated the Electoral Act or party constitutions.

But the cut-off timelines gleaned from the PRP’s party guidelines were even tighter. For instance, while membership re-registration or revalidation was set for between April 10 to 30, submission of membership register to INEC is April 21 (tomorrow).

It was gathered that key actors within the David Mark-led ADC have opened high-level talks with the PRP.

National chairman of the party, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, confirmed that key figures in the opposition have reached out to PRP and that discussions were ongoing.

A central factor driving the current urgency among opposition politicians, it was gathered, was the set of timelines embedded in Nigeria’s electoral framework, which, while not always explicit on the surface, imposed strict procedural deadlines that could make or mar political ambitions.

At the centre of the ADC crisis is a leadership dispute involving David Mark and rival factions challenging his emergence.

The situation has led to: Multiple court cases, including matters before the Supreme Court; Paralysed party structures across states; Competing factions laying claim to leadership; Uncertainty over the party’s convention and primaries

INEC has already withdrawn recognition from the Mark-led leadership following court directives, further complicating the party’s position.

The ADC has recently attracted major political figures, including: Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola.

Sources say many of these actors are now exploring alternative platforms as legal uncertainties persist.

Sources familiar with the situation said the ADC crisis has forced many stakeholders to hedge their bets, as conflicting judicial outcomes remained a real possibility.

While a Federal High Court in Abuja is currently handling the substantive case challenging the legitimacy of the ADC leadership, the matter has also generated interlocutory issues that have reached the Supreme Court as it prepares to hear key appeals related to the ADC crisis.

The court has fixed April 22 for accelerated hearing of the disputes, a move seen as decisive for determining which faction controls the party.

JD VANCE WILL TRY AGAIN

The vice president is scheduled to lead an American delegation back to Islamabad, Pakistan, this week for another round of in-person negotiations with Iran after failing to secure a deal just over a week ago.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is set to travel to Islamabad accompanied by advisers to President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to hold talks related to Iran, a White House official said Sunday.

The official said Vance, who led the first round of direct talks lasting 21 hours last Saturday, will head the U.S. delegation to Pakistan alongside Witkoff and Kushner, according to the Associated Press.

Earlier in the day, Trump said a U.S. delegation would travel to Islamabad for negotiations concerning Iran, urging Tehran to accept the proposed agreement.

The first round of talks, held in Islamabad last Saturday, ended without an agreement, with key differences remaining unresolved.

Whether the talks even occur seems in dispute. Hours after President Trump announced the trip on Sunday, Iranian state media said that Tehran had not yet agreed to any such meeting. Later, Mr. Trump announced that a Naval destroyer had attacked an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to skirt the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.

The conditions for a new round of diplomacy were, at best, imperfect, and the stakes for a second failure high, both for ending a war that neither side seems to want to prolong and for Mr. Vance himself.

As a two-week cease-fire nears an end, and as Mr. Vance prepared for another long journey to Pakistan, Mr. Trump again threatened maximalist consequences if Iran failed to agree to his terms.

“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,” the president wrote on social media on Sunday. “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”


IRAN PULLS OUT

Iran says it will not be sending a delegation to participate in the second round of high-stakes peace talks with the United States in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, set to take place on Monday.

It comes after the US attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel it said had tried to evade its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

Washington said it was deploying a negotiating team, chaired by Vice President JD Vance, to Islamabad to engage in efforts aimed at bridging gaps and reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the hostilities.

It is not yet clear whether the talks will proceed as planned without Iranian presence or whether the US will also withdraw.

Tehran’s joint military command vowed to respond, throwing the fate of a fragile ceasefire into question days before it expires.

The ship was the first to be intercepted by the US Navy since it began blockading Iranian ports last week in response to Tehran’s closure of the strategic waterway since the US-Israeli war on the country broke out on 28 February.

Iran says the armed boarding of the cargo vessel constituted a violation of the fragile truce and an “act of piracy”.

US President Donald Trump, in a post on social media, said a US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman warned the Iranian-flagged ship, the Touska, to halt and then “stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room."

Two gunboats affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire on a tanker about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman Saturday morning, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO), a monitoring agency that is part of the British Royal Navy. The agency said all crew members were reported safe.

The incident was also reported by ship tracking firm TankerTrackers.com, which said a crew member aboard the tanker radioed Iran’s military for help as it was under attack. In the distress call, the crew member claims the tanker had been given permission to cross the strait and asks Iran to allow the tanker to turn back, according to the report.

India’s External Affairs Ministry released a statement saying it had summoned Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi on Saturday night, conveying concerns over what the ministry called “a shooting incident” involving two Indian-flagged ships in the strait. India’s foreign secretary, the statement said, urged Iran’s ambassador to resume allowing India-bound ships across the strait.

One of the ships reported the incident to the UKMTO; it occurred on April 18, 2026, at 11:25 UTC, 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman.

According to the company’s security officer, the container ship was struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in damage to some of the containers on board. There are no reports of a fire on board or injuries among the crew.

Shortly before this, UKMTO reported an attack that occurred on April 18, 2026, at 09:20 UTC, 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman.

According to the tanker’s captain, two boats belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps approached the vessel without establishing radio contact, after which they opened fire on the tanker. The vessel and crew, according to available information, were not harmed.


RENEWED BLOCKADE OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The first announcement regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz was made on April 8, 2026, when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the strait was ‘fully open’ to all commercial vessels following the start of the ceasefire in Lebanon, which began on April 16.

Passage was to be permitted exclusively along routes agreed upon by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization. This condition was imposed because Tehran allegedly cannot detect all the sea mines it had previously laid.

As early as April 12, Donald Trump, to exert pressure during negotiations, ordered the US Navy to begin a complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and to detain vessels that paid transit fees to Iran.

And on April 16, the United States expanded the naval blockade of Iranian ports to include all Iranian vessels and sanctioned vessels, regardless of their location in the world’s oceans.

According to Reuters, on April 18, some civilian vessels received a radio message from the Iranian Navy stating that the strait had been closed again and that vessel traffic was prohibited.

According to an official statement by a spokesperson for Iran’s Central Command, Iran blocked the passage of civilian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US attempt to impose its own blockade of the strait.

The U.S. will continue its naval blockade of Iranian ports until there is a peace deal with Iran, Trump said. But on Saturday, Iran accused the U.S. of “banditry and piracy under the guise of a so-called blockade.”

“Until the United States ends its interference with the full freedom of movement for vessels traveling to and from Iran, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain under intense control and in its previous state,” said the statement published on Iran’s semiofficial Fars media outlet.

This is Mrs. Margaret Obi, the wife of the “we no dey give shishi” presidential aspirant, @PeterObi , at the Thanksgiving and Birthday celebration of the parents of Chief Mrs. Kofoworola Adebutu, wife of the billionaire lottery magnate popularly known as Baba Ijebu spending… pic.twitter.com/KdPU7VhpXx

— Àlúbàríkà 🇳🇬 (@Iyoaiye_) April 15, 2026

Peter Obi's wife recently trended on social media X following her presence at a recent high-class event in Lagos.

Margaret Obi, the wife of former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, was one of the prominent figures who attended billionaire Chief Kessington Adebutu, aka Baba Ijebu's, in-laws, Alhaji Olugbenga Olusanya and Alhaja Idowu Olusanya, turned 85th and 70th birthday party and thanksgiving in Lagos.

video captured the former Anambra state governor's wife on the dance floor, handing money to a woman.

Her display at the party quickly sparked conversation on X, formerly Twitter, as some netizens compared it with Obi's public stance against monetising politics via his "we no dey give shishi" phrase.

While Obi was not giving shishi at ADC convention , his wife no send am 😅. She was enjoying herself spraying bundles at a Yoruba party in Lagos yesterday .

Where Margret See Money?🚶‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/5OrwTJLklX

— 36kinniun media👑 🦁 🕊 (@fattylincorn_01) April 15, 2026

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Thursday, inaugurated the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) Multipurpose Building at the University of Lagos, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s marine and blue economy through sustained investment in human capital and infrastructure.

The facility, donated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), is equipped with modern lecture rooms, laboratories, and specialised facilities to support teaching, research, and innovation in the maritime sector.

Describing the project as a milestone, Oyetola said the initiative reflected the government’s resolve to strengthen institutional capacity and position the blue economy as a key driver of national prosperity.

The minister said, “The future of the blue economy will be shaped not just by natural endowments, but by the quality of minds we nurture within institutions such as this.”

He emphasised that with over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s trade conducted via maritime channels, the sector was critical to economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable development.

Oyetola, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola, highlighted ongoing efforts to build manpower, disclosing that 2,459 Nigerians have been sponsored under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) for training in maritime institutions across countries, including the United Kingdom, Egypt, the Philippines, India, and Romania.

He added that 1,088 beneficiaries had obtained their Certificates of Competency.

The minister also pointed to opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture, stating that Nigeria’s annual fish demand of 3.6 million metric tonnes presents significant potential for food security and employment.

Oyetola further outlined key government initiatives, including the planned disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), expected to boost indigenous shipping capacity and create up to 30,000 jobs.

He said ongoing port modernisation projects were projected to “generate up to 20,000 jobs for our teeming youths, while significantly improving port efficiency, reducing turnaround time, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime hub in West and Central Africa”.

Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the agency was partnering with eight Nigerian universities, as well as international institutions, including World Maritime University, to strengthen maritime manpower development.

Mobereola stressed that building a skilled offshore workforce will enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

He said the NIMASA–UNILAG partnership will boost research, support data-driven policymaking, and produce industry-ready professionals to meet evolving demands in the maritime sector.

In her remarks, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, said the new facility will enhance teaching, research, and professional training in areas, such as maritime law, shipping management, port operations, logistics, and marine environmental studies.

Ogunsola added that the institute was positioned to serve as a hub for innovation and interdisciplinary research that will support national development.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, commended the federal government for its support and pledged the university’s continued collaboration in advancing manpower development in the maritime sector.

Established in 2013, the Institute of Maritime Studies, UNILAG, has grown into a strategic centre for maritime capacity development in Nigeria and the wider African region.

The event was attended by key stakeholders from the maritime sector and the academic community.

The Federal Government on Friday disclosed that of the 65 ambassador-designates appointed by President Bola Tinubu, over 25 have secured their agrément.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, made the disclosure in Abuja while briefing journalists on current developments and Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.

Ebienfa noted that Nigeria is set to commence the deployment of ambassadors to foreign missions following the receipt of agrément from more than 25 host countries.

Adding that significant progress had been made in the accreditation process required before envoys are posted abroad.

He said, “We have received agreements from over 25 countries where ambassador-designates have been sent. We are receiving agreements every day, and before the date of induction, we will receive even more.

“Plans have been concluded for a three-day induction programme from the 27th to the 29th of this month, noting that deployment would begin immediately after the exercise.”

He added that ambassadors who have secured agrément would proceed to their respective postings after the induction, although some missions may still await final clearances.

Ebienfa explained that the agreements, known as agrément, represent formal consent from receiving countries after due diligence on Nigeria’s nominees.

According to him, “Once the agrément is granted, the ministry proceeds with induction, where ambassadors and, where applicable, their spouses are exposed to the principles of diplomacy, conduct in host countries, and the expectations of the President.

“We are going to talk to them about how to conduct themselves, how to host official engagements, how to advertise the country very well, for our own benefits.”

Responding to inquiries on ambassador-designates who may have been rejected by host countries, Ebienfa said no nominee would be left without a posting at the end of the process.

“Whether any ambassadors have been rejected or not, foreign affairs will not come and tell the public about it. What we will ensure is that all ambassadors will have countries that they will serve in.

“Out of the 65 ambassadors designated, we have over seventy plus embassies, so it is not every slot that is filled already, so even if someone is rejected by country A, there is the possibility that they will be accepted in Country B. So that is what the ministry is working with.”

Following the assumption of office by Tinubu in 2023, there was a delay in fresh ambassadorial appointments, leaving key diplomatic posts vacant and relying largely on chargés d’affaires to manage missions.

To address the gap, the Presidency forwarded a list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly in late 2025. Although the nominees were screened in December, their deployment remains subject to receiving agrément from host countries.

Meanwhile, the ministry has raised the alarm over the growing trend of individuals and groups illegally assuming diplomatic titles, warning that offenders risk prosecution.

The ministry stressed that the unauthorised use of such titles is an offence, listing violations to include the unauthorised use of titles such as Ambassador and Diplomatic Envoy, fraudulent conferment of such titles, and the use of fake diplomatic materials.

Ebienfa said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has observed with grave concern the increasing activities of unscrupulous individuals and unauthorised groups who illegally usurp diplomatic titles and fraudulently confer the same, specifically the title of ‘Ambassador,’ upon themselves or unsuspecting members of the public.

Such titles are not recognised under Nigerian laws or relevant international conventions.”

Reaffirming its stance, the ministry said, “The Federal Government remains committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic service and will not tolerate any form of misrepresentation that brings the nation to disrepute.”

An Iranian general warned Wednesday that Tehran could shut down traffic in the Red Sea and other regional shipping lanes if the U.S.

military’s blockade of Iranian ports continues.
The remarks from Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, which is Iran’s top military command, were aired by Iranian state television, according to the Middle East Eye.

Aliabadi said if the U.S. blockade continues, it "creates insecurity for Iran's commercial vessels and oil tankers" and constitutes "a prelude" to violating the ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire , the news outlet reported.

"The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea," Aliabadi reportedly added.

US MILITARY MAINTAINING BLOCKADE ON IRANIAN PORTS AS PEACE TALKS ARE SET TO BEGIN

The White House, when asked by Fox News Digital for comment, provided a statement from press secretary Karoline Leavitt that said, "President Trump, Vice President Vance and the negotiating team have made the U.S. redlines very clear."

"The Iranians’ desperation for a deal will only increase with President Trump’s highly effective Naval blockade now in effect, which is sending oil tankers towards the big, beautiful Gulf of America," Leavitt said.

U.S. Central Command released a statement Wednesday saying the U.S. stopped nine vessels attempting to break the blockade on Iranian ports. Fox News is told all nine were oil tankers.

A senior U.S. defense official also confirmed to Fox News on Wednesday a report from Reuters that a U.S. destroyer interdicted two oil tankers that were trying to leave Iran on Tuesday.

A U.S. official told Reuters that the ships left Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman before being contacted by the U.S. warship through radio communication.

"During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces," U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.

" Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area," it added.

Pakistan's Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reached Tehran on Wednesday for talks with the Iranian leadership as part of his country's efforts to resolve the conflict between the US and Iran.

Munir is part of a delegation that includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the military, said in a statement.

"Field Marshal Asim Munir... and Mr Mohsin Naqvi, Interior Minister, along with the delegation, arrive at Tehran as part of the ongoing mediation efforts,” it said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the delegation members upon their arrival in Tehran, according to the Iranian media.
"The purpose of the visit is to deliver a US message to the Iranian leadership and to plan the next round of negotiations," Iran's state-run Press TV reported.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei in Tehran confirmed that the exchange of messages continued with the US through Pakistan after Islamabad talks over the weekend ended without a breakthrough.

"Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying by the state-run Irna news agency.

He said that if negotiations are "based on one side imposing conditions on the other, that is not negotiation; that is dictation and imposition. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation will never accept such imposition.

"The diplomatic push comes as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye on Wednesday.

Citing sources, Geo News reported that officials and security agencies in Pakistan have been instructed to make necessary administrative and security arrangements ahead of the next round of talks.

A day earlier, US President Donald Trump said that a second round of talks with Iran could be held in Islamabad "over the next two days".

"You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there," Trump told The New York Post.

PM Shehbaz's visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar will be in the bilateral context, where the Prime Minister will meet the leadership of the two countries to discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation as well as regional peace and security, the Foreign Office said.

The visits are part of an effort to facilitate the US and Iran to reach a deal to end the ongoing conflict.

The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan over the weekend aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks ended early Sunday without any agreement.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the talks failed to reach a deal, citing Tehran not forgoing its nuclear programme as one of the key sticking points.

Iran, however, said that the Islamabad talks failed due to "excessive demands" made by the American side.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Iranian Parliament Speaker who led his country's delegation in marathon peace talks, said that his team raised "forward-looking initiatives, but the opposite side ultimately failed to win the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations.

”According to Pakistani officials, the second round is expected in the coming days for which Pakistan has been making all-out efforts".

The conflict began after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, paralysing global energy markets and disrupting trade.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) not to proceed with its planned national convention, deepening the party’s leadership crisis.

Justice J.O. Abdulmalik gave the order following an application for adjournment by counsel to one of the defendants to enable a response to the plaintiffs’ processes.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while ruling on a suit filed by seven aggrieved members of the party.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik directed the parties and all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the case.


“I also order that all parties in this suit shall maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall not take further steps in this matter so as not to render nugatory the proceedings before the Court,” the judge held.

She also directed that the defendants be served with hearing notices ahead of the next sitting.

“I further order that the 1st to 5th defendants shall be served hearing notice for the definite hearing,” the court added.

The case was subsequently adjourned to April 23 for hearing.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, was filed by seven party members who said they were acting for themselves and on behalf of all ADC state chairmen and state executive committees.

The plaintiffs, led by Don Norman Obinna and six others, are suing on behalf of state chairmen and state executive committees of the ADC.

The defendants include the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of a caretaker or interim national working committee headed by Mark, which they allege lacks the constitutional authority to organize state congresses or appoint congress committees.

They are seeking declarations that their tenure as state executive committees remains valid and that only duly constituted state executive committees have the authority to organize state congresses.

They also urged the court to restrain INEC from recognizing or participating in any congress organized by the caretaker committee.

The suit is the latest development in an ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, centered on the control of party structures ahead of planned congresses and political realignments.

At the heart of the disagreement is the role of a caretaker or interim national working committee, which some party stakeholders accuse of overstepping its constitutional powers.

The plaintiffs contend that, under the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the tenure of state executive committees subsists until valid congresses are conducted, and that any attempt to bypass them undermines internal party democracy.

In his ruling, Justice Abdulmalik directed all parties to file their relevant processes, adding that pending applications would be heard alongside the substantive suit.

The judge further ordered that all parties should refrain from taking any steps that could render the court proceedings nugatory.

He also directed that hearing notices be served on the affected defendants ahead of the next sitting.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 23 for a definite hearing.

Meanwhile, the Mark-led ADC leadership on Tuesday went ahead with its decision to hold the party’s national convention in Abuja.

A close ally of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi has disclosed that the ex-Kaduna governor is preparing to run for the presidency in upcoming 2027 general elections.

Makarfi made this known while addressing Journalists on Tuesday after the trial of Nasir El-Rufai.

According to him “His excellency president Bola Ahmed will hand over to his excellency Mallam Nasir el Rufai 2027 May and the journey has started.”

DAILY POST reports that the former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai, has been under detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC where he is undergoing trial for alleged corrupt practices while as the governor of Kaduna State.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday renewed his allegation that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is plotting to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, despite earlier denials by the state government and the palace.

Fayose, in a statement posted on his official X account, alleged, “Those who are still in doubt, Governor Seyi Makinde’s plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, should just keep their fingers crossed and follow unfolding events,” alleging that recent accusations against the monarch were part of a broader plan to justify action against him.

He wrote, “Those who are still in doubt about Governor Seyi Makinde’s plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, should just keep their fingers crossed and follow unfolding events.

“Recall that they denied any rift between Olubadan and Makinde after my making same public.

“But now, they are accusing the Olubadan of plotting to impeach Governor Makinde. They are also releasing statements accusing the Olubadan of being partisan.

“These are parts of the orchestration by Makinde to prepare grounds for the Olubadan to be queried for being partisan.”


Fayose’s latest submission comes shortly after the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, denied reports linking him to an alleged plan by some lawmakers to impeach Governor Seyi Makinde.

Oyekola, who represents Atiba State Constituency, said in a statement on his verified Facebook page that he was not part of any such plan, stressing that he would not engage in activities capable of destabilising the state.

“I hereby completely disassociate myself from any arrangement or activity that has the potential to disrupt the peace of Oyo State. I was never invited, never consulted, and was not part of any such meetings or arrangements,” he said.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the governor, stating,

“I cannot and will not be disloyal to my boss… I remain firmly committed to the peace, unity, and continued progress of Oyo State.”

Fayose’s latest comments follow earlier allegations he made that there was a plan to depose the Olubadan, which both the Oyo State Government and the monarch had dismissed.

Fayose had, on his X handle, written that Makinde was plotting to remove Ladoja as Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He wrote: “I heard reliably that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is plotting the removal of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja.”

The media aide to the Olubadan had said there was no rift between the palace and the government, “It will be most unfortunate if it is not a rumour.

Though I read it just the way you read it online. I don’t see the cause of friction between the governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland,” he said.

While the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, maintained that the government had “never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action,” describing the allegation as baseless.

“By now, Nigerians know who and what to believe, especially when the information comes from a particular quarter. Oyo State Government has never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action.

“There has to be a credible motive for every government action, and this, coming from the unofficial spokesman of our opponents, is better put in the refuse dump where it belongs. Desperate politics foists thoughtless propaganda and reduces democracy into a joke,” he said.

Payment of long-awaited arrears arising from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review has commenced for members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.

The NARD’s Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim, confirmed this in a letter to all members, sighted by our correspondent, adding that the arrears, covering between one and six months for some members, were already being disbursed.

Many doctors were also said to confirm receipt of the arrears.

“The leadership of NARD… is pleased to inform all members that payment of the outstanding 25/35 CONMESS review arrears… has commenced,” the statement said.

Ibrahim reassured members yet to be credited that payments would be completed in due course, urging patience.

He disclosed that the August component of the arrears was encountering minor administrative challenges, which could delay payments by up to two weeks.

“Payments for August are currently facing a few challenges that are being addressed… the August arrears may be delayed by about a week or two,” he added.

The CONMESS review, which adjusts salary scales for medical and dental officers in Nigeria’s public sector, has been a recurring source of tension between doctors and the government.

Delays in implementing salary adjustments and settling arrears have, in the past, triggered industrial actions by NARD, disrupting healthcare services across federal and state hospitals.

Resident doctors, who form the backbone of Nigeria’s tertiary healthcare system, have repeatedly raised concerns over welfare issues, including unpaid salaries, hazardous working conditions, and brain drain driven by better remuneration abroad.

According to industry estimates, Nigeria has lost thousands of doctors to migration in recent years, worsening doctor-to-patient ratios and straining an already fragile health system.

The latest development signals progress in ongoing efforts by the government to address welfare concerns and avert potential labour unrest.

Ibrahim said members with unresolved payment issues after the disbursement period should channel complaints through their respective centre leadership for prompt resolution.

“We sincerely appreciate your patience, resilience, and continued trust… Be assured that we remain steadfast and committed to the welfare and well-being of all NARD members,” he said.

Legal practitioners have expressed divergent views over a recent statement by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) warning lawyers and courts against involvement in the internal affairs of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While some lawyers backed the NBA’s position as a necessary step to safeguard democracy, others faulted it, arguing that it undermines constitutional rights, particularly the right to a fair hearing.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Muhammed Adam, criticised the statement, saying it does not reflect the association’s collective position.

“With due respect, I think the NBA President needs to separate his personal opinion from the opinion of the Association. This cannot be the position of the Association on matters like this,” he said.

Similarly, human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogar argued that the NBA’s reliance on Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 fails to recognise the supremacy of the Constitution.

“The right to fair hearing is a constitutional right, and where a person alleges that their rights (under any circumstances) have been violated, those individuals have the right to fair hearings or the right to seek redress in court,” he said.

Ogar described any attempt to oust the jurisdiction of courts as inconsistent with Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that “no law or authority is superior to the Constitution.”

He added that while courts should be cautious in granting interlocutory orders capable of stalling democratic processes, they cannot be barred from exercising judicial powers where rights are allegedly violated.

“Finally, threatening lawyers or judges in statements is, on its own, totally unacceptable.

The NBA is not a political party to make statements, advising parties or INEC on matters pending before the Court, also, the NBA and its leadership, cannot constitute itself to a Court to give a conclusive interpretation of the law or give verdict based on what the leadership believes is the true position of the law, no matter how persuasive the facts appears before it,” he added.

Also weighing in, another Lagos-based lawyer, Ridwan Oke, cited judicial precedents to support litigants’ right to approach the courts.

Citing the case of Inakoju versus Adeleke, he noted that courts have historically intervened in political matters where due process was breached.

“Imagine if Lawyers had refused to go to court because the Constitution purportedly ousted the jurisdiction of the Court? So, who are you to deny people their fundamental right to a fair hearing by saying they cannot approach the Court? It is only the court that can determine that it has entered its jurisdiction. Not you, a random fellow citizen,” he said.

Oke, however, called for scrutiny of the nature of court orders granted in political cases rather than restricting access to the courts.

On the other hand, some lawyers aligned with the NBA’s position, describing it as a necessary intervention to curb abuse of judicial processes.
Human rights lawyers, Festus Ogun and Inibehe Effiong, strongly backed the association’s stance.

“Any lawyer who has any issue with this statement must stand to be counted as one of the very enemies of Nigeria’s democracy,” Ogun said, commending the NBA leadership.
Effiong also reaffirmed his stance with the NBA’s position.

Another lawyer, Najib Adab Usman, also welcomed the NBA’s warning, noting that unethical practices among lawyers have contributed to the problem.

“Lawyers have lost their collective will to challenge unethical and unprofessional conduct among themselves. I welcome the caution by the NBA to lawyers, the courts, and the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he said.

Usman added that disciplinary measures should be taken against erring practitioners, citing what he described as growing misuse of court processes in politically sensitive cases.

Recall that the lawyer of Nafiu Bello, the ex-ADC national deputy chairman, had filed a suit seeking that INEC recognises him as the authentic ADC chairman, following the resignation of the founder and immediate past chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

The derecognition, which will bar the ADC from fielding a presidential candidate for the 2027 election, has prompted ongoing protests at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, as well as public condemnation of the move by the electoral body, alleging it is helping the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) impose a one-party system in the country.

Reacting to the development, the NBA specifically referenced Section 83 of the Act, which bars courts from entertaining cases relating to the internal affairs of political parties and restricts the granting of interim or interlocutory injunctions in such matters.

It decried what it described as a growing trend of lawyers filing suits in violation of the law and courts granting orders contrary to statutory provisions, warning that such practices could undermine democratic processes and turn the judiciary into a tool for political manipulation.

The NBA also cautioned legal practitioners against engaging in forum shopping and filing cases aimed at securing undue political advantage, stressing that such actions amount to abuse of court process and breach of professional responsibility.

It further warned that lawyers found culpable risk facing disciplinary action before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, while urging courts to resist being drawn into matters the law expressly prohibits.

Iran has warned that no port in the Persian Gulf or Sea of Oman would remain safe if its own ports are targeted, as the US prepares to enforce a blockade on Iranian maritime activity.

The move follows failed talks, with tensions escalating, shipping disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, and oil prices surging amid fears of wider regional fallout.


Iran has warned that no port in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman will remain safe if its own ports are threatened, as the United States prepares to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas from Monday.

The warning came after the US military announced it would begin blocking vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, in a move aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran following the failure of ceasefire talks.

Iran’s military and the Revolutionary Guards said regional maritime security must be shared, declaring that “security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one,” and that “no port in the region will be safe.”

US Central Command said the blockade would be enforced from 10 am EDT (5:30 pm in Iran) and would apply to vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. However, ships travelling between non-Iranian ports will still be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement has already disrupted maritime movement in the region. Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which had partially resumed after the ceasefire, slowed significantly, with just over 40 commercial vessels crossing since the truce, compared to 100–135 daily passages before the conflict.

The White House posted US President Donald Trump's message, saying, “The United States to blockade ships entering or exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 am ET (7:30 pm IST). Thank you for your attention to this matter!”



BLOCKADE LOOMS AFTER FAILED IRAN-US TALKS

The move follows high-level US-Iran talks in Pakistan that ended without agreement. US Vice President JD Vance said negotiations stalled after Iran refused to accept American terms, including commitments related to its nuclear program. Iran, in turn, demanded compensation for damages from US-Israeli strikes and the release of its frozen assets.

Iranian officials issued strong warnings of retaliation. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said,

“If you fight, we will fight,” while military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said Iran still holds “major untouched levers” to counter a blockade.

The Revolutionary Guard added that the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran’s control and open to non-military vessels, but warned that military ships could face a forceful response.


BLOCKADE MAY INCREASE PRESSURE ON IRAN

The blockade is likely intended to add pressure on Iran, which has exported millions of barrels of oil since the war began, much of it likely carried by so-called “dark” transits that evade Western government sanctions and oversight.

Trump also hopes to undercut Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz after demanding that it reopen the waterway where 20% of global oil transited before fighting began. A US blockade could further rattle global energy markets.

The blockade is expected to have wide economic implications. Oil prices rose sharply after the announcement, with US crude increasing 8% to $104.24 per barrel and Brent crude rising 7% to $102.29, compared to around $70 before the conflict began.

The escalation comes amid continuing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, with no clarity on what will happen after the current ceasefire expires on April 22.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has constituted a committee to speed up port connectivity to railway systems nationwide, in a push to develop rail infrastructure through the private sector.

Speaking at the Quarterly Stakeholders Engagement of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Opeifa emphasised the urgent need to deepen rail-port connectivity to enhance efficiency in Nigeria’s freight and logistics ecosystem, according to a statement by Chief Public Relations Officer, NRC, Callistus Unyimadu.

According to him, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has constituted a committee to drive the effective delivery of the initiative.

The engagement provided a vital platform for stakeholders across the maritime and rail sectors to align strategies, strengthen partnerships, and collectively chart a path toward a more integrated and efficient transport system in Nigeria.

The NRC Boss said the maritime sector reforms and the deep-sea ports without an efficient rail linkage would continue to yield marginal returns.

Addressing industry stakeholders, Dr. Opeifa acknowledged the strong collaboration between the NRC and port authorities, saying that significant progress has been made in recent years, especially under the President Bola Tinubu administration.

He stressed that more work needed to be done to fully optimise the movement of goods from the ports, particularly within Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, and the eastern port corridor to other parts of the country.

The MD highlighted persistent challenges in the seamless movement of cargo between ports via rail, calling for deliberate efforts to improve operational efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.

He emphasised that optimising port operations through a revolution of freight by rail is critical to achieving a more reliable and cost-effective freight system.

Dr. Opeifa also spoke on the strategic importance of interconnectivity among Eastern region ports, revealing the Corporation’s plans to introduce new rail lines that will further enhance port operations and regional trade integration.

Providing updates on key infrastructure projects, he disclosed that the Kaduna-Kano rail corridor will soon be completed.

In addition, he emphasised the federal government’s effort to link currently operating rail lines to the port, a move aimed at significantly improving cargo evacuation and reducing cargo congestion within the port corridors.

“The Federal Government has approved many plans, including the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge line extension from the Apapa Port to the Tincan Island port, while on the central line, the Warri-Itakpe would connect the Warri Port.

“On the Eastern flank, similar thing would happen on the Narrow Gauge as the line is expected to be connected to the Port-Harcourt Port at Onne, just as approval has been given to connect the Lagos-Kano on the Western flank to the Baro Port on the narrow gauge, he said.”

Dr. Opeifa said connecting all the ports by rail remains one of the sure pathways to boosting the nation’s economy.

He urged other stakeholders, particularly truckers and others, not to sabotage the strategic drive of rail linkages, as they too have a role to play in taking the raw materials from the farmlands to the ports, and in taking the freight imported through the ports to the final destinations by roads from the freight yards.

He disclosed that a rail development being planned for the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which would pass through Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu to Kajola, from where it would join the Lagos-Ibadan on the Western line, which most likely would take off this year.

He reiterated that all ports in Nigeria must be connected by rail to ensure seamless, efficient, and standardised freight movement nationwide.

Furthermore, Dr. Opeifa emphasised the need to increase the number of freight yards across both narrow gauge and standard gauge rail lines to boost cargo handling capacity and improve overall logistics efficiency.

The Nigerian Army says four of its personnel were killed during a foiled attack by terrorists in Benisheikh, Borno State . The four included two officers and two soldiers, the army said, refuting reports that 17 soldiers were killed.

The headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), a joint military task force in the North-east, disclosed this via the army’s official X handle on Friday.

“OPHK categorically refutes the claim that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, lost their lives during the incident,” it said.

“The official and verified report, as earlier released through Defence Headquarters, clearly stated that 2 officers and 2 soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Any contrary figure being circulated is entirely false, misleading, and devoid of credibility.”

The army did not disclose the names or ranks of the officers and soldiers killed.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked three military bases in Borno including the one in Benisheikh where the brigade commander, Oseni Braimah, a brigadier general, and other soldiers were killed.

Many media outlets reported that 17 soldiers including Mr Braimah were killed in the Benisheikh attack.
In his Friday statement, the spokesperson for OPHK, Sani Uba, claimed that the widely circulated figures were part of a deliberate attempt to distort facts and undermine ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-east.

BRIGADE COMMANDER's SITUATION

The army spokesperson also said that claims that the brigade commander was killed because his escape vehicle failed to start or was unserviceable are false.

He explained that the commander was actively leading troops from a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was only “temporarily immobilised” during the intense exchange of fire.

“The insinuation that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was unserviceable is equally incorrect. The Commander was mounted on a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault,” Mr Uba, a lieutenant colonel, wrote.

According to him, this reflected the severity of the battle and the commander’s presence at the frontline, rather than any equipment failure.

Mr Uba also said that many of the images and videos circulating about the attack were inaccurate, urging the public to disregard such content.

“The pictures and videos being circulated in connection with the incident are unrelated to the Benisheikh attack and are being deliberately misrepresented to reinforce false narratives,” he wrote. “The public is urged to disregard such content, which is clearly intended to misinform and create unnecessary panic.”

He stressed that troops successfully repelled the attack, retained control of their position, and forced the attackers into a “disorganised retreat.”

He warned against the spread of unverified information, describing it as harmful to national security and detrimental to the morale of troops engaged in ongoing operations.

The Benisheikh attack and its casualties add to a growing list of recent daring attacks by terrorists that have led to the killing of many soldiers.
On Friday, President Bola Tinubu praised the gallantry of the soldiers who repelled the Benisheikh attack but also mourned the slain soldiers.

“The government will never forget their sacrifices. Their sacrifices will not be in vain. Because of the courage and dedication of our troops on the frontline, our resolve to defeat terrorism and all forms of violence across Nigeria is stronger than ever,” the Nigerian leader wrote in a statement shared by his office.