₦airaland Forum

NDC Confirms Engagements with Obi, Kwankwaso to Decamp to Party Monday


EXPLANATORY PRESS RELEASE (May 2nd, 2026)

FACTUAL CONTEXT OF MY RESPONSE TO PHONE-IN INQUIRIES BY A REPORTER: FACT OF THE MATTER

My attention has been drawn to a report making the rounds where I was quoted to have lent credence to the possibility of defection of the duo of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Mr Peter Obi to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

With the benefits of hindsight and foresight, I do not see anything wrong in granting occasional phone-in interviews to members of the press, especially the print media, when they come asking salient questions pertaining party politics, policy posturing as well as sundry intra-party and inter-party politcal developments in the country. This is true if my response is quoted strictly within the context of the factual expression of the interviewee and factual reportage of the interviewer alike.

My recent response to rare inquiry by a print journalist regarding the possibility of defections of the duo of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, both of the ADC, has dwelt more on the realm of probability rather than certainty. This unequivocal clarification of the party is coming on the heels of a politically sensitive reportage by a print media which some media houses and/or news channels are already referencing and getting over-sensational of in the public space.

For the purpose of clarity, the NDC wishes to restate and maintain its policy posturing on the sensitive issue of defections by politicians and potential electoral candidates who feel dissatisfied in their various political parties. Abinitio, our party has been calling on both the ruling and opposition politicians to join what we call the "Noah's Ark" being floated by the National Leader of the party, especially considering the unique ideologies and policy pillars upon which the NDC was built. This suffices to say we do not foreclose nor coarse the defection scenarios to favour our party as we believe politicians are free to move to any party of their choosing.

Again, we hereby restate that while discussions with key opposition leaders, including many APC politicians, are ongoing, the hierarchy of the NDC shall continue to keep the doors of the party open for whoever wants to come into the party's fold to salvage the nation.

In the light of the facts so presented in this explanatory press release, the NDC has not foreclosed the defections of the duo of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Mr Peter Gregory Obi and others, even though discussions have been going on among the opposition parties on the possibility of an alliance to build a multi-party momentum towards the 2027 polls.

Signed:

*Hon. Abdulmumin Ohiare Abdulsalam*
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC.

https://newsense.ng/ndc-confirms-engagements-with-obi-kwankwaso-to-decamp-to-party-monday/

2027: Adamawa political heavyweight, Aisha Binani joins NDC

2027: Adamawa political heavyweight, Aisha Binani, joins NDC

In a significant political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, Adamawa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, has formally joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), marking another major realignment in the country’s evolving political landscape.

Binani was officially received into the party in Abuja on Friday by the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, alongside the National Chairman and members of the party’s National Working Committee. Her defection comes months after she left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), highlighting the growing wave of political repositioning ahead of the next election cycle.

Speaking during the reception, Binani said her decision to join the NDC was informed by the party’s constitution and governance philosophy. “The answer is very simple. Going by the Constitution of the NDC, I saw that the party focuses on structured, policy-driven governance,” she said.

She explained that her move was also based on the wishes of her supporters, insisting that their interests remain paramount in her political decisions. “My priority and my first interest is the interest of my supporters,” Binani stated.

According to her, many of those supporters had already moved into the party before her formal declaration. “Even before I answered them, they had already gone far,” she said, while claiming that Adamawa State now has one of the highest numbers of registered members in the NDC.

The former senator thanked the leadership of the party for welcoming her and pledged to work for its growth in Adamawa and nationally. “We will try our best to see that we build this NDC back at home in Adamawa State, and also at the national level, we will contribute our quota,” she said.

Binani also called for fairness and transparency within the party. “All we are asking for is to ensure fairness, equity, justice, transparency, and above all, to ensure that internal democracy is taking its toll,” she added.

Welcoming her into the party, former Bayelsa State Governor and NDC National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, described the party as an open and inclusive platform ready to receive Nigerians seeking political alternatives. “This party is open, inclusive, and ready to harness your energy, ideas, and strength,” Dickson said.

He formally handed Binani a leadership role in Adamawa State, saying, “The flag of leadership of the NDC in Adamawa has now been handed over to you.” He urged her to work with party leaders in the state to build consensus, promote unity, and strengthen the party’s structures.

Dickson also used the occasion to invite women across the country to embrace the NDC, saying the party has a special place for women and youths. He noted that the NDC had already adopted affirmative action for women at its first National Executive Committee meeting.

In a wider political appeal, Dickson invited politicians dissatisfied with their current parties to consider joining the NDC. “Every Nigerian has the constitutional right to join any political party at any time — and to leave at any time,” he said.

Using a metaphor, he added, “If the vehicle you boarded is no longer taking you to your destination, you have every right to step down and board a better one. The NDC is that better vehicle.”

Binani remains one of the most recognisable political figures in Adamawa State and northern Nigeria. She was the APC governorship candidate in the fiercely contested 2023 Adamawa governorship election, where she mounted a strong challenge against incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. Her latest move is expected to reshape political alignments in the state as preparations gather pace for the 2027 elections.

Her defection also adds momentum to the NDC’s expansion drive as the relatively new party seeks to establish itself as a national alternative platform capable of attracting experienced political figures and broader grassroots support across the country.

https://newsense.ng/2027-adamawa-political-heavyweight-aisha-binani-joins-ndc/

NDC Begins Nationwide Congresses, Fixes National Convention for May 9 in Abuja

*NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS HOLDS MAIDEN CONGRESSES NATIONWIDE, SETS FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE 9TH MAY, 2026*

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) commences its maiden party Congresses nationwide today, 1st May, 2026.

According to the official timetable released by the party, the wards/polling units' Congresses are to hold on the 1st and 2nd of May, 2026 respectively, while the Local Government Congresses are scheduled for Monday, 4th May, 2026. Furthermore, the party has also scheduled its Zonal Congresses to hold on the 6th of May, 2026 respectively.

On the back of the ongoing Congresses, the party is also set for its maiden National Party Convention which is scheduled to hold in Abuja on the 9th of May, 2026. Preparations for the National Party Convention have been concluded by the Convention Planning Committee of the party and all is set for the big event which shall host accredited party faithfuls as well as the relevant INEC officials who are expected to monitor and observe the conduct of the Convention as mandated in the electoral Act. Security agencies have also been put on notice to ensure adequate security and safety for accredited party faithfuls, officials and other invited guests.

With the benefit of hindsight, the various State Officers across the 36 States of the Federation (the FCT inclusive) as well as the National Officers of the party are all expected to carry out their delegated responsibilities to ensure that the scheduled exercises do go on according to laid down party guidelines and official timetable as well as in line with the provisions of the constitution of the party.

On the issue of logistics, security and materials required for the National and State exercises, the party leadership has ensured that adequate arrangements and coordination have been put in place to ensure seamless, hitch-free and successful outcome across the country.

Signed:

Hon. Abdulmumin Ohiare Abdulsalam
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC.

https://newsense.ng/ndc-begins-nationwide-congresses-fixes-national-convention-for-may-9-in-abuja/

Tagwaye, SDP AMAC Candidate, Defects to NDC with Supporters in FCT (PHOTOS)

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has recorded a significant political boost in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the defection of youth politician Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye, along with his supporters into the party.

Tagwaye, a former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the recent Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election, was formally received by the NDC leadership in Abuja.

At the reception were the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas, members of the National Working Committee, and the FCT Chairman, Haruna Pai.

Presenting the defecting politician, Pai described Tagwaye as a widely known grassroots figure with strong political reach across the FCT and beyond, assuring him of the support of party members across all wards in the capital.

Cleopas disclosed that the party leadership had engaged Tagwaye in a series of consultations prior to his formal declaration, noting that the interactions confirmed his suitability for membership.

“After extensive discussions, we found him to be a good fit for the NDC. Today, we have formally presented and decorated him before our National Leader,” he said.

Tagwaye was subsequently decorated with the party’s fez cap and issued a membership card.

In his remarks, Dickson welcomed the new entrant, describing the NDC as a stable political platform free from internal crises, litigation, or factional divisions. He commended Nigerians for their growing confidence in the party and urged citizens to participate in its ongoing nationwide membership drive.

According to him, the party remains committed to building a credible alternative capable of delivering good governance and repositioning the country.

Responding, Tagwaye expressed appreciation to the party leadership, stating that his decision to join the NDC was driven by a desire to contribute to national development rather than personal ambition.

“I joined the NDC for the betterment of Nigerians. After the elections and the crises in my former party, my supporters sought direction. After careful consideration, we resolved to align with the NDC,” he said.

He added that his political structure extends beyond the FCT, pledging to mobilise support for the party nationwide.

Tagwaye also acknowledged the role of Amanda Pam, whom he described as a strong pillar in the FCT political landscape.

https://newsense.ng/tagwaye-sdp-amac-candidate-defects-to-ndc-with-supporters-in-fct-photos/

Marafa Dumps ADC for NDC, Cites Legal Uncertainty Ahead of 2027

Former Zamfara Central senator, Kabir Garba Marafa, has defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), attributing his decision to lingering legal disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and looming electoral deadlines.

Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, formally joined the NDC on Tuesday alongside his supporters. He was received in Abuja by the party’s National Leader and Bayelsa West senator, Seriake Dickson, as well as the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, and other stakeholders.

The move marks Marafa’s second political switch in less than a month, coming barely three weeks after he joined the ADC on April 8, 2026. He had earlier exited the All Progressives Congress (APC) in August 2025, citing internal disagreements.

Explaining his latest defection, Marafa pointed to uncertainties surrounding multiple court cases involving the ADC, warning that the party’s legal battles could jeopardise his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections. He noted that the tight timeline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) leaves little room for prolonged litigation.

According to him, participation in elections requires certainty of platform, which he believes the ADC may struggle to guarantee. He questioned the party’s prospects of resolving its legal issues before crucial deadlines for primaries and candidate submissions, stressing that unresolved disputes could leave aspirants stranded.

Marafa maintained that his decision was not borne out of hostility towards the ADC but rather a pragmatic response to political realities. He said consultations with his supporters and legal advisers informed the move to the NDC, which he described as a more stable platform at this stage of the electoral cycle.

He also pledged to abide by the decisions of his new party, including its eventual choice of presidential candidate, signalling readiness to align with its internal processes.

Welcoming the former lawmaker, Dickson described Marafa as an influential political figure whose entry would bolster the NDC’s strength, particularly in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region. He urged him to deploy his grassroots network to mobilise support and contribute to addressing insecurity in the region.

https://newsense.ng/marafa-dumps-adc-for-ndc-cites-legal-uncertainty-ahead-of-2027/

NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) CONDEMNS HARASSMENT AND ILLEGAL ARRESTS OF OPPOSITION FIGURES AND POLITICAL DISSENTS IN KOGI STATE, WARNS OF LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FAR BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

It has gotten to our attention that one Faruk Ozigi Onimisi who recently resigned and defected from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is being illegally detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) of the Nigerian Police Force. He was allegedly whisked away in a kidnapping style from his home in Kubwa, a suburb of the FCT to Kogi State capital, Lokoja by men of the Nigerian Police Force who were acting on the orders of the Kogi State Government.

Worse still, we are inundated with information that the politcal activist, whom the repressive government in Kogi State ordered his arrest ostentibly for planning a civic protest, is being held in the most inhumane conditions in addition to being subjected to daily torture routines while in solitary confinement.

Impeccable information available to his family, friends and politcal associates showed that he has been taken to Kogi State Police Command and is currently being detained for days now without access to legal representation, family or being charged to court, a situation which is in clear violation of his fundamental human rights.

We hereby demand Mr Ozigi's immediate release by the authorities or, in the worst case scenario, he should be charged to court without further delay if the authorities or the Kogi State government deem him to have committed any offense(s) or breached the law on any legal scale.

Ostentibly, the innocent political activist was clamped into illegal detention for planning a 'protest' against the state government, a familiar smokescreen which the intolerant state actors had used in previous represive clampdowns and enforced disappearances of dissents. Hence, we call on the State government to respect and recognize citizens' right to peaceful assembly and/or association in accordance with the Nigerian constitution as well as the provisions of the UN and African Union Charters respectively.

As a political party with peaceful intention and law-abiding followers, we hereby call on the Kogi State Police Command to halt the ugly and undemocratic indulgence of harassing, intimidating, and arresting opposition politicians who do not subscribe or belong to the political fold of the ruling APC in the state.

Finally, we wish to categorically state that continued harassment and illegal arrests of our members across the state, especially in Kogi Central, shall compel our party's national legal team to take stronger action, including dragging the State Government and the Security agencies to courts to seek reparations and justice against the bellicose oppression and repression of the ruling party in kogi state.

We also warn the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led State government to put a stop to the illegal actions by its sinister agents, else we will be compelled to drag it to the
International Community for sanctions, including penalties by the ECOWAS Court and the International Criminal Court (ICC), respectively.

The NDC wish to call on all party faithfuls in Kogi State to continue to remain peaceful, law-abiding and fearless whilst the party's NEC and NWC figures a befitting action against further acts of repression against the opposition and politcal dissents in Kogi State and beyond.

Signed:

Hon. Abdulmumin Ohiare Abdulsalam
Deputy National Publicity Secretary /Spokesperson if the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),
Headquarters, Abuja.


https://newsense.ng/ndc-accuses-kogi-govt-of-repression-over-kidnap-style-arrest-of-apc-decampee/

NDC Disowns Fake X Account, Denies Lobbying Specific Candidates

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed claims that it is lobbying specific individuals or groups to contest elections on its platform, describing such reports as false and misleading.

In a press statement issued by its National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party urged the public and media to disregard information circulating on both traditional and social media suggesting that it is courting particular candidates ahead of future elections.

According to the statement, the misinformation originated from a “rogue” account on X (formerly Twitter) that is allegedly impersonating the party’s verified handle, using its official colours and logo. The NDC clarified that it had previously alerted Nigerians about the existence of the fake account and reiterated that any content published from it does not reflect the party’s official position.

The party stressed the importance of verifying information through its authentic communication channels, specifically its verified X handle, to avoid the spread of false narratives.

While distancing itself from the impersonated account, the NDC acknowledged what it described as overwhelming support from Nigerians, despite being a relatively new political party. It expressed appreciation for the growing interest in its activities and vision.

The statement also served as an open invitation to Nigerians across all demographics to join the party and actively participate in its affairs. The NDC encouraged citizens who are passionate about positive change and committed to strengthening multi-party democracy to register as members and contest elections under its platform.

Particular emphasis was placed on inclusivity, with the party urging women and persons with disabilities to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in the political process through its structure.

Describing itself as an ideological party dedicated to national service, the NDC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the interests of Nigeria and its people.

The statement concluded with a call for Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to freely align with the party’s vision and contribute to its growth.

“NDC… SERVICE!” the statement read.

https://newsense.ng/ndc-disowns-fake-x-account-denies-lobbying-specific-candidates/

Wild Elephant Invades Oyo Community, Kills One, Leaves Another Missing

Residents of Innayin Community in Oyo State were thrown into panic on Thursday following the invasion of the area by a wild elephant, an incident that has left one person dead and another missing.

According to a press statement issued by the Oyo State Police Command, the tragic incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026, prompting an emergency response from security operatives.

Police authorities disclosed that upon receiving a distress call, officers swiftly mobilized to the scene in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters. On arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of a 45-year-old man, identified as Ibrahim Tijani, in a nearby bush. The victim reportedly sustained fatal injuries consistent with an animal attack.

His remains have since been evacuated to the General Hospital, Iwere-Ile, for medical examination and preservation.

The situation further escalated as another resident, Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin, aged 50, was reported missing after reportedly encountering the same elephant. Security operatives have launched an intensive search operation to locate him.

The police assured residents of Innayin and neighboring communities that efforts are ongoing to contain the situation and prevent further casualties. Authorities have urged members of the public to avoid the affected area and promptly report any sighting of the animal.

In addressing the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, called for calm and cooperation among residents, emphasizing that officers are working with relevant stakeholders to secure the community.

“We understand the concerns this incident has generated within the community. Our officers are fully on ground working with relevant stakeholders to secure the area and prevent further casualties,” he said.

The Command also noted that it is engaging the National Park Service Nigeria to provide expert guidance in managing the situation in line with wildlife conservation laws.

Residents were encouraged to cooperate with security agencies and make use of emergency lines provided by the authorities as efforts continue to bring the situation under control.


https://newsense.ng/wild-elephant-invades-oyo-community-kills-one-leaves-another-missing/

NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC), IMO STATE*
*OFFICE OF THE STATE PUBLICITY SECRETARY*

*A New Dawn for Imo NDC: Thousands Gather as National Vice Chairman Southeast, Deacon Teddy Obe, Receives Heroic Homecoming*
*OWERRI, IMO STATE* — The political landscape of Imo State witnessed a seismic shift on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) played host to its National Vice Chairman (Southeast), *Deacon Teddy Ikechukwu Obe*. The homecoming, which can only be described as a triumphant convergence, saw party faithful and supporters numbering in their thousands gather to reaffirm their loyalty to the party’s vision.
The atmosphere was electric, charged with a palpable sense of hope and "renewed vigour." Leading the state delegation was the indefatigable State Chairman, *Barrister Reginald Uwakwe*, whose leadership continues to serve as the bedrock of the party’s stability in the Eastern heartland.

*The Only Credible Alternative*
In his opening remarks, Barrister Uwakwe did not mince words regarding the current state of the nation. He observed that while other political platforms have become embroiled in internal friction and systemic failures, the NDC stands tall as a beacon of integrity.

> "Looking at the political environment of Nigeria today, it is evident that the NDC is the only credible alternative opposition party. We are the sole vehicle capable of delivering Nigerians from the shackles of hardship and the quagmire of bad governance," Uwakwe declared, to thunderous applause from the spirited crowd.
>

*Legitimacy and Organizational Discipline*
Taking the podium amidst high spirits and chants of solidarity, the National Vice Chairman, *Deacon Teddy Ikechukwu Obe*, addressed the fundamental structure of the party. With administrative finality, he affirmed that *Barrister Reginald Uwakwe* remains the only recognized and gazetted Chairman of the NDC in Imo State.
Deacon Obe’s speech was a masterclass in party discipline. He outlined a clear roadmap for the upcoming months:
* *Membership Drive:* A call to action for every member to expand the party’s grassroots base.
* *Forthcoming Congresses:* He urged members to prepare for the democratic processes that will soon usher in executives at all levels of the party structure.
* *Strict Adherence to Protocol:* He issued a stern warning against "political impostors," stating categorically that no individual should parade themselves as an executive member until the official conclusion of the congresses.

*The Path Forward*
As the meeting concluded, the sense of purpose among the attendees was unmistakable. This homecoming was not merely a social gathering; it was a strategic alignment of forces. The Imo State NDC has sent a clear message to the people: we are organized, we are united, and we are ready to lead.
With the directive for a massive membership drive now in effect, the NDC is poised to redefine the political narrative of Imo State, moving from a position of opposition to a position of governance fueled by the will of the people.

*Signed:*
*Mr. Ayozie Uchechukwu Ronald*
*Interim State Publicity Secretary*
*Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Imo State*

https://newsense.ng/ndc-show-of-strength-in-owerri-as-deacon-teddy-ikechukwu-obe-returns-declares-party-ready-for-power/

NDC Begins Membership Drive, Reschedules Congresses Nationwide

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of a review and rescheduling of dates for its congresses and national convention ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a letter dated April 15, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of INEC, the party said the decision followed deliberations at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on March 25, 2026, where its draft timetable for congresses, primaries, and national convention was initially presented and adopted.

The correspondence, signed by the NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, and National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, explained that although earlier dates had been communicated to INEC, the party reviewed the schedule “in its best interest.”

According to the revised timetable, activities commenced with an ongoing e-registration and membership drive, while formal notices to INEC and state chapters were issued in late March 2026. Membership e-registration is expected to close by noon on April 29, 2026, with submission of the party’s register to INEC scheduled for the same day in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

The party outlined that its congresses will begin on May 1, 2026, starting with ward congresses across the country, including polling unit and community-level exercises where applicable. This will be followed by local government congresses on May 2, state congresses on May 4, and zonal congresses on May 6.

The NDC’s national convention, which will elect party officials, is slated for May 9, 2026.

In[b] a separate notice, the party also informed INEC of its timetable for party primaries and the convention for the nomination of candidates. State Assembly primaries are scheduled for May 22, followed by National Assembly primaries on May 24, and governorship primaries on May 25, 2026. The final national convention for ratification of candidates is fixed for May 29, 2026.[/b]

The party urged INEC to deploy its officials to monitor all stages of the exercises, reaffirming its commitment to due process and internal democracy.

https://newsense.ng/ndc-begins-membership-drive-reschedules-congresses-nationwide/

Graphic Look at How Human Neurons Reshape During Learning to Form New Skills and Behaviours (VIDEO)

Emerging insights from neuroscience have continued to shed light on how the human brain dynamically reshapes itself during learning, a process experts describe as central to personal development and behavioral change.

At the core of this phenomenon is neuroplasticity—the brain’s intrinsic ability to reorganize its structure, function, and connections in response to experience, repetition, and environmental influence.

Researchers explain that the human brain contains roughly 86 to 100 billion neurons—specialized nerve cells responsible for transmitting information. When an individual learns a new skill, adopts a different behavior, or repeatedly engages in a specific pattern of thought, these neurons begin to form new connections known as synapses. Over time, these connections strengthen, effectively “rewiring” the brain.

“Learning is not just an abstract process; it is a physical transformation of the brain’s wiring,” experts note. “Each new experience or repeated action reinforces neural pathways, making certain behaviors or skills more automatic.”

Scientific observations using advanced imaging technologies have shown that neurons do not remain static. Instead, they continuously extend and retract microscopic structures called dendrites, forming intricate networks that evolve with use. This biological adaptability is what allows individuals to acquire new abilities, recover from injuries, and modify entrenched habits.

Closely linked to this process are mirror neurons, which play a role in imitation and social learning. These neurons are activated not only when a person performs an action but also when they observe others performing the same action. This discovery underscores the influence of environment and social interactions on brain development.

However, experts caution against oversimplifications. While repetition and mental rehearsal can influence brain activity, the claim that the brain “cannot distinguish between imagination and reality” is not entirely accurate. Instead, both imagined and real experiences can activate overlapping neural circuits, though typically with differing intensity and outcomes.

Scientists also stress that the brain does not function optimally when left unstimulated. Cognitive engagement—through problem-solving, learning, or exposure to new environments—promotes stronger and more efficient neural connections. Conversely, prolonged inactivity or reliance on habitual patterns may limit cognitive flexibility.

“The brain is biologically wired to conserve energy and prefer familiar routines,” researchers explain. “But sustained challenge and novelty are essential for maintaining and enhancing neural adaptability.”

The implications of neuroplasticity extend beyond academic interest. In education, therapy, and personal development, the concept reinforces the idea that individuals are not biologically fixed in their abilities or behaviors. With consistent effort and the right environment, measurable changes in brain structure and function are possible.

As studies in neuroscience continue to evolve, the growing consensus remains clear: the brain’s capacity to adapt is not only fundamental to learning but also central to human potential.


https://newsense.ng/graphic-look-at-how-human-neurons-reshape-during-learning-to-form-new-skills-and-behaviours-video/

INEC Registration: Umar Ardo lied – NDC

The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has put a lie to the claim by Dr. Umar Ardo of ADA that the NDC's registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, did not follow due process.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said such a claim is not only mischievous and misleading, but a wicked lie from the pit of hell.
“This is not the first time Dr. Ardo would be peddling this same falsehood. We recall that barely 48 hours after INEC announced the registration of both NDC and DLA, Ardo was on an ARISE NEWS programme dishing out the same falsehood about NDC and making insinuations on why it was registered.
“Rather than concern himself with his ADA which failed to scale the INEC hurdle, Ardo had spent a large chunk of his allotted airtime attacking NDC, saying he did not comprehend how the party came to be registered.
Curiously, more than a month after that ARISE NEWS interview, Ardo has still not made good his promise to approach the Lokoja court that gave the ruling, on the strength of which the NDC was registered by INEC. Rather, he has gone again on Trust TV to repeat the same lies”.
‘Our position’ the NDC statement said, “is that Dr. Ardo knows the truth but has chosen to follow the ignoble path of shunning the truth for some selfish or sinister reasons.”
That truth, according to the NDC National Secretary, is that “the processes for the registration of the NDC predates the 2025 date Ardo is bandying about”.
“NDC first applied for registration as far back as 2017. And was among the initial 171 associations that sought registration.
“It only approached the court when it felt dissatisfied with the reasons INEC, under Prof. Yakubu, advanced for dropping the party from the process and almost aborting its registration.
“NDC went to court when it was not allowed to proceed to the next stage Dr. Ardo is talking about, be it be last 14 or last 8.
“ We went to court because INEC said the NDC Victory-sign logo of two upward-pointed fingers was similar to the APC Broom logo.
NDC disagreed with that submission and approached the Federal High Court to challenge that position, insisting it is an abuse of discretion.
INEC legal team was served and it appeared at the Court to defend the commission’s position. Before the court, the INEC team affirmed that all the requirements for registration had been made by the NDC, except for the position the commission took on the logo.
“The judge, after listening to all arguments, over ruled INEC, saying that the logos were not only clearly different, but that INEC’S position of knocking out NDC on that basis interfered with our fundamental freedom of association, and thereafter ordered INEC to register NDC. The court thus enforced NDC’s right to association and gave an express order for its registration to INEC, an order which INEC complied with and did not appeal.
“It is also instructive to note that the window of time allowed for such an appeal has since elapsed.
“This parly explains the reason why until recently, INEC had yet to reflect the NDC logo or upload it on the INEC website. In the stead of the NDC logo, the electoral commission simply put ‘COURT ORDER’ ”, the NDC statement pointed out.
The truth, the NDC scribe said, is that the party had met every requirement for registration long before the Umar Ardo’s ADA did so ( if it did so), and only went to court when it was excluded from the shortlist of 14 political associations being considered for registration, on the strength of the questionable rejection of the NDC logo – a logo which INEC said bore a close semblance of the APC logo. NDC disagreed with that position, and the court concurred.
“INEC soon announced NDC as a political party, based on that court order, and proceeded to issue NDC a certificate of registration as a political party.
“The NDC has since started its activities as a political party. And only two weeks ago, it held its first NEC meeting, after serving INEC the mandatory 21 days notice, and INEC attended event and fully monitored the processes
The party has also given INEC the mandatory notices for its congresses and convention scheduled to hold soon”.
Enekweizu pointed out that since its registration and public presentation, NDC's officers and leaders have been working round the clock to introduce the party to Nigerians in all states of the Federation and Abuja. They have also been aggressively promoting the party.
“We thank Nigerians both within and in the Diaspora for the huge outpouring of love and enthusiasm in the way they have accepted the party and are massively registering as members of the NDC”
According to him, “this is largely due to the person of the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson whom millions of Nigerians have come to accept as authentic and a politician of conviction, not convenience”
“They have come to accept our party as a credible alternative to the decadence foited on the country by the incumbent APC government. They have come to believe in us as the key bastion against the impending descent into a one-party state, which the APC is pursuing, against our avowed preference for a multi-party democracy.”
“Of course, we in the NDC are not so naiveas not to know that the forces of darkness are uneasy with the light and breath of fresh that the NDC has come to represent, especially with widespread defections into the new party from both the ruling APC and other political parties from across the country. So we cannot say we were not expecting the shenanigans of Dr. Ardo and his ilk.
“We know those who have been funding Dr. Ardo to demarket NDC. We know Dr. Ardo to be an agent of the APC, working to destabilise and demarket the opposition and help push the one-party state agenda of the APC. Many of the Umar Ardo campaign are APC governors and chieftains who are well known to us, and who have suddenly become very jittery with the rising profile of the NDC, a party which they had initially given no chance.
Rather than make demarketing NDC his project, Umar Ardo would do well to tell Nigerians the truth as to what happened to his ADA.
We have it on good authority that ADA was denied registration for no other reason than Umar Ardo’s treachery and selfishness.
“ADA which was the initial preferred platform of the opposition coalition failed to be registered when Umar Ardo went behind the leaders of the coalition to substitute the names of protem officers nominated by coalition leaders like Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and others with his own name as Secretary and Uche Secondus as Chairman”.
The NDC scribe revealed that Umar Ardo who is close to the National Leader of the NDC had initially sought the advice of Dickson on how to proceed, when it was becoming clear that ADA registration might hit a brickwall. According to him, Dickson had advised ADA to do the same thing NDC was doing by taking INEC to court, explaining that INEC has no powers not to register the party if it meets the minimal requirements demanded by the commission.
Unfortunately for ADA, Umar Ardo was seeking to sideline the leaders if the opposition, and register the party for himself. So, when he filed his suit on behalf of the ADA, other coalition elements were taken aback, when the reality of what Umar Ardo filled became public. Other leaders of the coalition promptly filed a counter suit challenging Ardo.
That disagreement within the ADA, more than anything else, is responsible for why INEC refused to register ADA, But instead of telling the public this truth, Ardo is busy doing his paymasters’ bidding of trying to rubbish NDC”.
Curiously, Ardo has remained ominously silent on the NDP, another association which equally toed the path of NDC, by going to court, and which also won in court and has now been registered by INEC as a political party. That registration came after NDC’s. But Umar Ardo won’t say anything about the NDP because he feels the NDP might not yet possess the strength and wide acceptance that NDC has garnered in less than one month of receiving its certificate of registration.
“We would ordinarily have accepted to have Umar Ardo join us in the NDC to build the kind of credible opposition we envisage, that can challenge and defeat APC at the polls, but his track record of betrayal, selfishness and total lack loyalty and integrity have knocked him out of reckoning, as the NDC has no place for such characters as Umar Ardo, who is clearly working for the APC while pretending to hobnob with the coalition of opposition parties.
“Having destroyed the League of Northern Democrats (LND) of which he is the Convener, and also compromised the registration of ADA, Umar Ardo is now seeking to pull down the NDC. He is clearly on a mission, a mission to help APC destroy every possible opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, and impose a one-party state against the wishes of Nigerians and all true democrats”

SIGNED
Barr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu
National Secretary
08064726791


https://newsense.ng/inec-registration-ndc-dismisses-ardos-claims-as-false-defends-due-process/

“Earth Is Our Spacecraft”: Artemis Astronaut’s Easter Message Reframes Humanity’s Place in the Universe (VIDEO)


“Earth Is Our Spacecraft”: Artemis Astronaut Victor’s Easter Message Reframes Humanity’s Place in the Universe

An astronaut aboard NASA’s Artemis Program, Victor, has delivered a striking Easter message from space, portraying Earth itself as a “spacecraft” sustaining all of humanity and urging a renewed sense of unity and shared responsibility.

Speaking during a live Easter Sunday exchange, Victor drew inspiration from the historic Apollo 8 broadcast but shifted the focus toward a powerful metaphor—one that redefines how humans perceive their existence on Earth.

“You guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from Earth,” he said. “But you’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe.”

From his vantage point in space, Victor emphasized that Earth is not just a planet but a carefully balanced system carrying life through an otherwise barren cosmos. He described it as a rare “oasis” amid vast emptiness, underscoring its fragility and value.

The astronaut’s remarks challenged the tendency to see space exploration as uniquely extraordinary, suggesting instead that life on Earth itself is the greater miracle.

“Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special, but we’re the same distance from you… you are special,” he stated.

Victor noted that observing Earth from afar strips away artificial divisions, revealing a single, interconnected world. In that context, his “spacecraft Earth” analogy became a call for collective stewardship—an appeal for humanity to recognize that everyone shares the same vessel and fate.

“In all of this emptiness… you have this beautiful place that we get to exist together,” he said, describing the planet as uniquely suited for life in a largely lifeless universe.

Framing Easter as a moment of reflection beyond religious boundaries, Victor urged people across cultures and beliefs to reconsider their place in the cosmos and their relationship with one another.

“This is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing,” he said.


https://newsense.ng/earth-is-our-spacecraft-artemis-astronauts-easter-message-reframes-humanitys-place-in-the-universe-video/

NDC poises to replace dead PDP

Bayelsans Defy Rain to Declare Support for NDC in Yenagoa.

30th March, 2026.

Residents from across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State braved heavy rainfall in Yenagoa to publicly declare their support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in a significant political show of strength ahead of upcoming elections.


The gathering, which drew a large crowd despite the downpour, underscored growing grassroots momentum for the party in the state.


According to a statement by Gabriel Ukuta, Director of New Media to the NDC in Bayelsa State, the turnout reflected widespread admiration and confidence in the leadership of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the party’s National Leader.


Ukuta noted that Dickson’s political track record, including his tenure as a two-term governor of Bayelsa State and current role as senator representing Bayelsa West, has continued to inspire support for the party.


Addressing the crowd, the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, described the party as “the Noah’s Ark of our time,” positioning it as a refuge for the oppressed, voiceless, and marginalized across Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large.

Senator Cleopas commended Senator Dickson for his vision in founding the party and urged citizens to align with what he called a movement aimed at delivering genuine democracy.


In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the NDC, Dauperebo Ikuromo, expressed appreciation to party faithful and supporters for their resilience and commitment, formally welcoming attendees to the event.


The highlight of the gathering was a wave of defections from the APC, PDP, ADC, LP among other political parties in the State.

A former stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Selekebina Saboh, announced his defection to the NDC alongside over 10,200 supporters from across the state.

Hon. Saboh pledged unwavering support for the party’s ideology and leadership ahead of the elections.


Similarly, Hon. Wilson Ayakpo Dayegha, a political figure from Ekeremor Local Government Area, declared his alignment with the NDC, describing it as the platform capable of delivering grassroots-driven victory.

He assured party leaders of his commitment to mobilizing support and working collaboratively to secure electoral success.

Other prominent figures present at the event included Hon. Pabra Igwele, State Deputy Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Fyneman Wilson, representative of the National Leader at the event, Dr. O. Osusu, Member of the NDC Sagbama LGA, Hon. Salo Adikumo, an elder of the NDC in Sagbama LGA, Chief Suru Oyarede, elder of the NDC in Ekeremor LGA, Hon. Wisdom Fafi, and Hon. Oyinke Godbless, both Members of the minority party in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, among others.


The event marks a notable moment in Bayelsa’s evolving political climate, signaling increasing realignments as parties intensify preparations for the forthcoming elections.


https://newsense.ng/apc-chieftain-10000-supporters-defect-to-ndc-in-bayelsa-amid-rain-soaked-rally/

We invite you to join NDC - Sen Dickson tells politicians, other Nigerians

NATIONAL Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has invited members of other parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), to join the newly formed NDC), as the efforts to rescue Nigerians from the policies of the ruling party continues.

Senator Dickson spoke on Wednesday i. Abuja after NDC held its iaugural National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting.

He said NDC is a pan-Nigerian movement aimed at restoring the country’s founding ideals of inclusiveness, justice and national unity.

“This party is not for the big men; it is for the Nigerian people. We have created this platform to give young people, women and the vulnerable a voice in governance and leadership,” Dickson said.

NDC, he said, was founded on concerns over "Nigeria’s drift towards a one-party state". He warned that such a development would undermine democratic values in a country of over 250 ethnic nationalities with their diversities.

On the existing parties, Dickson said many of them had abandoned their founding principles and no longer reflected the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, internal crises and shifting alliances within major parties have left many politicians politically displaced, creating an opportunity for the NDC to emerge as a credible alternative.

“All political houses are on fire. The current political hurricane is forcing many out of their parties. We are ready to accommodate them, but the priority must remain the Nigerian people,” he stated.

The former governor also took a swipe at the PDP, his former political platform, warning that it risks losing its identity and becoming a clone of the ruling APC. He urged loyal PDP members dissatisfied with the party’s direction to defect to the NDC.

He extended a similar invitation to members of the Labour Party and other political movements, questioning their ideological clarity while positioning the NDC as a fresh and principled alternative.

“Our platform is new, clean and inclusive. A newly born political movement has no enemies,” Dickson added.

Despite courting high-profile defectors, the NDC leader emphasised that the party’s core focus would remain grassroots mobilisation, particularly among youth and women, whom he described as central to Nigeria’s democratic future.

He acknowledged that the party faces an uphill task in a political environment dominated by established structures, financial influence and entrenched interests, but expressed confidence that commitment and organisation would drive its growth.

“Movements that change history often start small. What matters is determination and belief in a shared vision,” he said.

Also speaking, the newly ratified National Chairman of the party, Senator Moses Cleopas, pledged loyalty to the party’s founding principles and called for unity among members.

Cleopas urged party leaders at all levels to be “passionate, accommodating and tolerant,” describing the NDC as a vehicle for national renewal.

He likened the party to Noah’s Ark, calling on members to actively recruit Nigerians across political divides into what he described as a rescue mission for the country’s democracy. “The door is still open. Our responsibility is to bring more people on board,” he said.

The maiden NEC meeting drew attendance from all over the country and reached decisions to focus NDC ahead of future electoral contests, with a strategy on broad-based inclusion, grassroots mobilisation and attracting disaffected politicians from across the political spectrum who meet the NDC's membership criteria.

https://newsense.ng/ndc-positions-as-new-haven-for-displaced-politicians-dickson-woos-apc-pdp-lp-members-to-join-party/

ICSO Supports Inter-House Sports at Community High School Ogungbade, Ibadan

Igbega Communities Support Organisation (ICSO), a non-governmental organisation founded by a Germany-based business entrepreneur and governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Chief Olayinka Oladimeji Segelu, has shown support to this year’s Inter-House Sports Competition of Community High School Ogungbade, Ibadan.

Chief Segelu, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) consultant, in a statement he issued and made available to newsmen, said ICSO has always shown interest in programmes that are designed to bring about upliftment of children and promotion of positive community engagement.

The statement reads: “Igbega Communities Support Organization (ICSO) has continued its impactful community outreach by supporting the inter-house sports competition at Community High School Ogungbade in Ibadan with cash donations.

“The initiative reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to youth development, education, and grassroots empowerment. Over the years, ICSO has remained actively involved in programs that uplift children and promote positive community engagement.

“The intervention is widely seen as part of the broader vision of its founder, Chief Olayinka Segelu Akintola Oladimeji, whose dedication to social impact continues to drive the organization’s efforts across various communities.

“The school authority, including the Chairman, the Principal, and the Sports Director, expressed their heartfelt appreciation for ICSO’s support, noting that the contribution significantly enhanced the success of the inter-house sports competition.

“Representatives of ICSO expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of young people, emphasizing that investing in the next generation remains central to their mission.

“With continued initiatives like this, ICSO reinforces its role as a key supporter of community growth and youth empowerment in Ibadan and beyond.”


https://newsense.ng/icso-backs-grassroots-sports-development-in-ibadan-school/

Three Years After Burial, Woman Found Her Dead Husband Alive Living Next Door

A woman identified as Phoebe has sparked widespread shock and disbelief after claiming that her husband, presumed dead for three years, suddenly reappeared as her next-door neighbor—now living with another woman and a child.

Phoebe recounted that she was eight months pregnant when she received the devastating news that her husband, Peter, had died in a tragic car accident. According to the account she shared, Peter allegedly lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a ditch, leading to his reported death.

The emotional toll of the incident proved overwhelming. Phoebe said the trauma caused her to lose their unborn child shortly after receiving the news. Both Peter and the baby were subsequently buried, with Peter laid to rest in a closed casket.

Describing the experience as life-shattering, Phoebe said she spent years struggling to rebuild her life. She relocated to a new city, found a job, and tried to move forward, deliberately avoiding reminders of her past.

Read details in link below...


https://newsense.ng/three-years-after-burial-woman-found-her-dead-husband-alive-living-next-door/

FRANKTALK

Lagos Environmental Sanitation Exercise: The Ayes Have It!

By Steve Nwosu

Sometime in December last, I stumbled on a TikTok post on lindaikeji blog by some lady, obviously an I Just Got Back (IJGB).

The only thing that stuck to me about her was her very prominent nose (nearly as prominent as mine), and the fact that she spoke good English.

The video was about how dirty and smelly Lagos had become, and why it wasn’t even worthy of anyone going there for Detty December. For her, it was not only the environment that was smelly, but also the people in the city – from Lekki to Ikoyi, Balogun Market etc.

Of course, many, like myself, who would defend Lagos (warts and all) with everything we’ve got, rose in defense of our city and its heritage, but there were thousands others who totally agreed with her, exposing even more filth about our mega city.

In fact, as a the time I exited the page that day, the post had garnered over 5,000 likes and about 1.6k comments, most of them supportive of her position. More than a thousand seven hundred people had also shared the post.

Now, add those figures to those garnered by that ‘famous’ post by a certain social media influencer- Corps member serving in Lagos, and you’d begin to guage how so dissatisfied Lagos residents and visitors to the state are with the state of dirtiness and environmental ill-health that Lagos has fallen into.

So dirty that someone could even contemplate taking Detty December out of Lagos, where it originated and which has continue to give the concept its very vibe and essence.

Now, if we all agree that Lagos is dirty and could do with some drastic clean-up, why are we reluctant to put our money where our mouth is, and pay a token price for a clean Lagos – a harmless two hours every last Saturday of every month?

I’ve read of all manner of laws being quoted and court rulings being exhumed, simply because the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration finally wants to do something about the filth, by reintroducing the monthly state-wide environmental sanitation exercise.

One of the arguments against the exercise, attributed to respected human rights lawyers and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, even argues that the exercise was not necessary, considering that the Lagos State Government had already budgeted a whooping N256 billion in the 2026 appropriation bill for the environment.

According to Falana, included in that huge sum are such subheadings as Urban Renewal and Waste Management, and since taxpayers’ money had already been voted to do the sanitation job, there was no need troubling the same taxpayers any further with an environmental sanitation exercise. Solid reasoning!

But then, how many of us would go sleep beside a mosquito- infested pond, simply because we have stocked up on anti-malaria drugs?

How many of us would go having reckless and unprotected sex simply because retroviral drugs are now available for free? Or that the National Health Insurance Scheme now gives expedited attention to STI patients anpatients living with HIV/AIDS? Of course, None!

When was the last time you left home without locking your doors, or parked your car at a public parking lot without doubly ensuring that the doors are properly locked, simply because there’re CCTV cameras everywhere, or because the anti-robbery squad just got its monthly allocation doubled?

Yes, Lagos has budgeted a humongous amount for safer environment and waste management, but the citizenry still have to play their part in ensuring a cleaner safer environment.

That is what this return of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise is all about.

Yes, even if Lagos re-introduces the Wole-Wole corps, those sanitary inspectors aren’t going to help wash your plates and soup pots, or rid your beddings of bedbugs. You still have a role to play.

Of course, I’m not impressed by the argument that rather that impose a restriction on movement, people should be allowed to clean their homes and surroundings at their convenience. No! That is what we have done since November 2016, when the Ambode administration, in obedience to a Federal High Court ruling, stopped the restriction of movement regime and abolished the compulsory monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Ten years after, even the blind can where it has landed Lagos in terms of cleanliness. Yet, some people have refused to agree that doing something the same way over and over would never produce a different result. Yet we all agree that we need a different result.

My late boss, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, would always say; when people show appreciable level of sound intelligence, you allow them use their initiative, but when they display a tendency to stray, then you make rules for them. That is why Sanwo-Olu is setting rules, because most Lagosians won’t clean their environment without compulsion.

Lagosians, like many Nigerians, have this tendency to take liberty of acceptable conduct whenever there’s no one beating them into line, especially where there are hardly ever any consequences for deliberately doing the wrong thing.

This is what plays out at traffic lights. Once there’re no traffic wardens, Road Safety officials or some koboko-brandishing military Rank and File standing by the road junction, everyone just runs the traffic light.

So, for the environmental sanitation exercise to have the desired impact, at least during these early days, there has to be a restriction on movement. And enforcement too. It won’t kill us.

Yes, there is a court order, and another petition before the Supreme Court, but the sanitation situation in Lagos has become an emergency case. And we should not lose sight of the fact that law is meant for man, and not the other way round, especially when there is now an existential threat to Lagos and Lagosians over this environmental health hazard.

Ironically, we live in a Lagos where, every Thursday, the markets (including vulcanizers and other artisans along the streets) do not open shop until 10.00am, because their union decreed it. Those four hours are supposed to be used in cleaning up the markets and their shop surroundings. But because there is no enforcement, no such cleaning is actually carried out. Shop owners simply lock up shops, do some other things, while waiting for 10:00am to reopen their shops to the same filthy environment.

Similarly, we see markets controlled by Igbos, who are predominantly Christians (like the Trade Fair market) being shut for upwards of two weeks, to celebrate Christmas. Markets controlled by Muslims do likewise, though for a shorter stretches of time for Sallah and other such festivities. Nobody feels there’s any violation of any body’s rights in these instances. I’m unaware of anyone going to court to fight for the rights of Jehova’s Witnesses who do not celebrate Christmas like the rest of us Christians.

Similarly, anybody who is a frequent flyer on the country’s South East routes would also have noticed that airlines regularly cancel or reschedule their Monday flights for no other reason than the illegal sit-at-home order of the Biafran agitators. Although the state governments there are gradually winning the war against the sit-at-home, no human rights lawyer has gone to court to stop this worse case of violation of the freedom of movement rights. Both airlines and air travellers simply adjusted for the good and safety of all.

While Lagos state government is not the same as IPOB, one feels that the environment sanitation challenge is an emergency situation that deserves the support and cooperation of all, rather the current display of legal or intellectual rascality. Let us be real!

Now that the state government is asking us to sacrifice just two hours every last Saturday of the month to clean our environment, some people gripped by the wanderlust spirit are bursting their veins over it.

They forget that this restriction of movement has never been without exemption. There has always been a window for emergencies and essential service personnel to move around unmolested.

The only thing the government needs to do is to educate members of its taskforce to be mindful of essential services personnel.

I wouldn’t want a situation I experienced during the last general elections, when soldiers at a military checkpoint stopped me on my way to the office, and detained me for several minutes, refusing to agree that, as a journalist, I was on essential duty.

In fact, one of the soldiers, a woman, declared that all essential duty people wear uniforms, and since I was not in uniform, I couldn’t be providing any essential service. Her other colleagues agreed with her.

So, the state government must ensure that every taskforce team patrolling and enforcing the restriction of movement must have, at least, one officer who has a head on his shoulders, so that the law enforcers do not themselves become lawless.

LAST LINE

When Minister Dave Umahi attributed the flooding on the completed portions of the controversial coastal highway to blockages caused by the dumping of refuse into manholes, very few Nigerians believed. Of course, it was not without reason. The APC government has told so many tales and half-truths about that road that everything said about it now – from cost to date of completion, and even the reason for priotising the road, is taken with a pinch of salt.

Curiously, I am among the few who believed Umahi. Reason? I live in that hood and I have actually seen a cart pusher from the beach nearby empty his cart’s content – including a disused vehicle tyre, into a vandalized manhole. Don’t ask me why I didn’t pull over to stop him.

I live in a neighbourhood populated by a generous chunk of the nouveaux riches, many of whom have an overbloated sense of self-wort, exaggerated intelligence and entitlement mentality.

They are the ones that would drive a car for 3 straight years without ever registering it, and still be arguing with law enforcement officers whenever they’re pulled over. They’re the quickest to swipe out their cellphones to record their own tomfoolery on video, and instantly posting it without knowing it amounts to self indictment.

One was even genuinely surprised that police was threatening to arrest him over ‘ordinary weed’ (as in, Indian hemp), which he was smoking as he drove along the road. He boldly declared that only ‘coke’ not ‘weed’ was against the law. The arrogant ignorance had be speechless.

Now this same, money-miss-road ignoramus is the one that bluntl refused to pay for refuse disposal, insisting that he’d dispose it himself whenever he wished. But the problem was that he never ‘wished’ for two whole months. And the waste began to spill out of the bin, polluting the entire surrounding. He thought that owning a house meant he could live like a pig, unaware of the nuisance he constituted to his neighbours and the environment.

He always thought the world revolved around social media; always threatening to expose everything and everybody on social media. Completely unaware of the legal limitations to engagements on the social media space. Naivety has never been more arrogant!

But, as the Lagos State Government moves to radically clean up the environment, with this reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, it is the likes of this my former neighbour who ideally needs to be reined by society, that are now all over blogosphere screaming ‘human rights’ and ‘freedom’, completely oblivious of the responsibilities that come with freedoms.

https://newsense.ng/lagos-environmental-sanitation-exercise-the-ayes-have-it/

Land Dispute: Ibadan Prince Accuses Sunday Igboho of Leading Violent Attack (PHOTOS)


An Ibadan Prince, Jelili Oyetunde, has cried out over an alleged attack on his property by Chief Sunday Adeyemo (a.k.a. Sunday Igboho).

Addressing newsmen on Friday morning, Prince Oyetunde called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to call Sunday Igboho to order.

Oyetunde alleged that Sunday Igboho, on Thursday, led over twenty dangerous weapons-wielding hoodlums to attack his house and block an industry.

The businessman said his property, located at Oyetunde Oga, off Olojuoro Road in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, was vandalized by the attackers, who came in about six different vehicles.

However, efforts made by our Correspondent to get Sunday Igboho's side of the story proved fruitless.

Prince Oyetunde revealed that his family member, Wasiu Adeyemo, was abducted by the attackers and was released on Thursday night.

Oyetunde, a descendant of two former Olubadan of Ibadanland, namely Olubadan Petuoshin Oyetunde I (1946) and Olubadan Shittu Akintola Oyetunde II (1971-1976), disclosed that the matter had been reported at Sanyo Police Station.

The Ibadan Prince explained that there is CCTV footage evidence showing how the attack was carried out, and the red jeep that conveyed Sunday Igboho to the scene.

Oyetunde identified other attackers to include: Baale Alimi Yusufu Lafiku, Saheed Olawoyin Olalekan, Tunde Lawal, Sule Adigun, Safiu Tunde Oladejo, Jamiu Raimi, Kasimu Ogunyemi, Morufu Laigbe Okeseyin, Ibrahim Sita, Muniru Lafiku, Abass Lawal Awoniyi, Suraju Lasisi Oladejo, and Lekan Adeoye.

He explained that the Oyetunde and Lafiku families were supposed to appear before the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency on Wednesday, but Lafiku's family was absent.

The businessman lamented that instead of the Lafiku family coming to present their case before the Anti-Land Grabbing Agency, they resorted to using Sunday Igboho to unleash terror on the Oyetunde family.

Prince Oyetunde recalled that in 2017, he instituted a court case against five people who kidnapped and took him to Sunday Igboho's house over the land dispute.

He revealed that an Oyo State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan found the five people guilty of the four count charges brought against them in the case with charge number: MI/1009C/2027, and convicted them.

Oyetunde warned that identifying with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope campaign should not give Sunday Igboho renewed strength to continue his land grabbing activities in Ibadanland.

https://newsense.ng/land-dispute-ibadan-prince-accuses-sunday-igboho-of-leading-violent-attack-photos/

NDC: Seriake Dickson alters the 2027 Equation| By Steve Nwosu

Finally, the cat has been let out of the bag! It’s official! Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). And with that singular move, he has completely changed the political narrative ahead of the 2027 general elections – and probably, beyond.

Yes! Dickson has left the PDP, a party which even he confesses was very dear to his heart. A party which he says has given him almost everything. A party which he says has now been serially betrayed and led into the abyss by the same people who were entrusted with protecting and preserving it at its most vulnerable season. Betrayed especially by sitting governors, all of them beneficiaries of PDP’s benevolence, but who not only fenced off those who genuinely desired to rescue the party, but also stuck a dagger in its heart in its hour of need, and then jumped ship.

But like Dickson said on Thursday, he did not dump PDP: ‘PDP simply left me.’

However, unlike the politicians of convenience, who have lately been flocking into the ruling APC in the diabolic claim of “connecting with the centre”, the politician of conviction that Dickson is says there is little or nothing in his principles of fairness, equity, transparency, federalism, service to the people, as well as the protection of the weak and vulnerable, that can be found in the APC and the style of governance it has unleashed on the country in the last 12 unbroken years it has held power at the centre.

Of course, Seriake Dickson needs no introduction. Anyone who has followed the goings-on in the 10th, and even the 9th, Senate would confirm that one major voice of reason, unputdownable even when, as is often the case, in the minority, is the voice of the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District. He would stand to be counted on just about every issue – from environment and climate change to taxation; from electoral reforms to judiciary reforms. From the evidence act to resource control, from access to affordable healthcare to tertiary education loan fund. Just about anything that puts Nigeria first, jealously guards its multi-party democracy, projects and protects its image abroad, respects its diversity and guarantees a just, equitable and safe country.

Of course, it's understandable why Dickson is riled by opaqueness in the transaction of government business, as he says has become second nature with the APC central government. As Governor of Bayelsa State (2012 to 2020), one of the first bills Dickson sponsored to the State House of Assembly was the transparency bill.

By the provisions of that law, Dickson compelled himself as Governor, and subsequent governors after him, to give a monthly account to Bayelsans, of all the monies received by the state government, and the expenditures therefrom in an open public forum. Failure of the governor to do so for three consecutive months constitutes an impeachable offence.

It was literally one of the first bills Dickson, as Governor, sent to the State House of Assembly, and it was akin to opening the government’s books to scrutiny by just anybody.

Upon the passage of the transparency law, Gov. Dickson then constituted the state finance team, made up of 10 senior government officials, with the Commissioner of Finance as chairman, and the Accountant General of the state as deputy chairman. The committee sat every month to analyse receipts and expenditures of the state.

It also sat every month with the Deputy Governor to decide the sectoral allocations to all ministries, parastatals and agencies, and then sent their recommendations to the governor for approval. That way, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor is not shut out from the goings on in the finances of the state, as is the case with most states of the Federation.

It also broke the cycle whereby a governor, conniving with his Finance Commissioner and Accountant General would make phoney approvals and withdrawals, without the knowledge of the Deputy Governor, just to enable them to embezzle money.

For the eight years that Henry Seriake Dickson was governor of Bayelsa, this law remained in full force, making it almost impossible for anyone (including the governor and his deputy) to steal government money.

The net result of this prudent management of lean resources was that Bayelsa’s over N200 billion debt which Dickson inherited was so drastically reduced that at the end of his second term in office, Bayelsa was the least indebted state in the South South zone, and one of the lowest in the country. Curiously, this was in spite of the big-ticket projects that the administration delivered. Meanwhile, the cumulative total amount that Bayelsa received for the eight years Dickson was governor came to about N1.050 trillion – an amount some of the present crop of governors budget for just one fiscal year.

Knowing what is achievable, therefore, one can only imagine the pain that courses through Dickson’s heart in the Senate when hundreds of trillions of NNPC earnings, for instance, go unaccounted for, for nearly 10 years, and the APC central government carries on like all is well.

Having severally turned down overtures to join the APC, the expectation was that Dickson would join ranks with other notable politicians who have coalesced on the platform of the ADC. In fact, with the heightened exchanges of visits between him and some of the leading lights of the ADC, the discussion was no longer if, but when, he would join the ADC.

But Dickson poured cold water on that permutation too. According to him, a lot of things are still unclear to him about what the party stands for, as well as its position on several issues and ideals he considers germane. As Dickson jocularly put it last Thursday, “I’m still waiting to confirm if what we have in ADC is a COALITION or COLLISION.”

Rather than join the bandwagon to the APC, in the expectation that the ruling party would invoke the infamous Federal Might to write election results in his favour, or the ADC where everything is in a flux, Dickson has opted for the newly registered NDC, a party he helped found and which has now announced him as National Leader.

In Dickson’s words, the decision to settle for the NDC is unambiguous:

“In making the decision to go with the NDC, I made it clear that Nigeria must never become a one-party state. It would have been easy for me to join the bandwagon of politicians decamping to the ruling party—the APC, but that was never an option for me. My decision is informed by a number of reasons: the APC’s abuse and disrespect of the country’s diversity, its inability to effectively manage national security, and its failure to manage the economy in a manner that protects the welfare of Nigerians, resulting in widespread hunger, poverty, and disillusionment. This is further compounded by the mismanagement of our democratic space and the rejection of electoral reforms, leaving democratic liberties under threat after twelve years in power.

“My decision to set up the NDC has been a painful one because of the PDP’s contribution to me, the people of Bayelsa and all Nigerians, but the reality is that we must move forward. By my nature and background, I am not a politician of convenience but one guided by conviction, principles, and values.”

Of course, those values and principles are clearly spelt out in the Manifesto of Ofurumapepe’s new party thus:

“The Nigeria Democratic Congress is a national platform for patriots committed to building a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Nigeria. Our priorities begin with national security, ensuring the protection of lives and property through strengthened defence and security institutions; education and skills development to build human capacity and drive national progress; affordable and quality healthcare for all Nigerians; a free-market economy guided by responsible regulation and social protection; industrialisation and local production to reduce dependence on imports; modernised agriculture and food security across the value chain; empowerment and inclusion of women and youth in governance and development; true federalism and devolution of powers to strengthen states and local governments; environmental protection and remediation of degraded areas; provision of affordable housing and modern towns; Pan-Africanist foreign policy and economic diplomacy; preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s culture and heritage; expansion of national infrastructure and transportation networks; reliable and sustainable power and energy supply; reform of the public service to ensure efficiency and accountability; and large-scale employment creation across sectors to provide opportunities for all Nigerians. The NDC will promote an independent judiciary, a free and independent press and ensure the promotion and protection of democratic norms and adherence to the rule of law.

“It is for these reasons that I have chosen to align fully with the NDC as we work together to build a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive Nigeria.”

With Dickson’s ship now berthed in the NDC, it appears the new party may well become the bride in the Nigerian political firmament.

Fresh, untainted and unencumbered, without any of the baggage and intractable court cases weighing down existing political parties, the NDC may well be the real alternative platform. The McCoy.

The days ahead sure promise to be exciting.

https://newsense.ng/ndc-seriake-dickson-alters-the-2027-equation/

Dickson Quits PDP, Launches Nigeria Democratic Congress, Warns Against One-Party State

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and announced the formation of a new political platform, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which he now leads as National Leader.

The former governor of Bayelsa State described his departure from the PDP as a “painful” decision, acknowledging the party’s role in shaping his political career and its contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.

Speaking on Thursday, Dickson said the decision to leave the party was guided by his conviction that the country requires a new political movement built on strong principles and values.

“The decision to leave the PDP was painful because it is a party to which I owe a significant debt of gratitude,” he said. “However, the need for a new political platform guided by conviction, principles and values ultimately outweighed my loyalty.”

Dickson said the newly established NDC was the result of a long-standing vision to create a political vehicle for Nigerians committed to justice, equity and national development. According to him, he played a key role in “midwifing the process” that led to the creation of the party.

He explained that the NDC would focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, economic instability and governance reforms.

Outlining the party’s agenda, Dickson said the NDC would prioritise strengthening national security institutions to protect lives and property, improving education and skills development, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare for all Nigerians.

He added that the party would pursue economic reforms anchored on a free-market system with responsible regulation and social protection, while promoting industrialisation and local production to reduce dependence on imports.

Other priorities listed by the former governor include modernising agriculture to achieve food security, empowering women and youths in governance, and advancing true federalism through the devolution of powers to states and local governments.

Dickson also pledged that the party would champion environmental protection, infrastructure expansion, reliable energy supply, public service reforms and large-scale job creation across sectors.

Explaining his broader political stance, the senator emphasised that Nigeria must not evolve into a one-party state, warning against the increasing trend of politicians defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“It would have been easy for me to jump on the bandwagon and join the ruling party, but that was never an option for me,” he said.

Dickson criticised the APC for what he described as an abuse and disrespect of Nigeria’s diversity, as well as its inability to effectively manage national security and the economy.

According to him, the country is currently grappling with widespread hardship caused by economic mismanagement, which has resulted in rising poverty, hunger and public disillusionment.

He also revealed that he had received overtures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but expressed reservations about the party’s ideological direction.

While thanking ADC leaders for their engagement, Dickson said he needed to clearly understand the party’s position on certain fundamental issues and principles before considering alignment.

“I am not sure if the ADC is a coalition or a collision, but I hope they prove me wrong,” he said, adding that he would continue to engage with political stakeholders in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.

The senator further assured that the NDC would promote democratic institutions, including an independent judiciary and a free press, while upholding the rule of law and constitutional governance.

Dickson called on Nigerians who share his vision for a more equitable and prosperous nation to join the new party, describing the NDC as a movement for national renewal.

Political analysts say the development could signal another shift in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, particularly as discussions around opposition realignments and alternative political platforms continue ahead of future elections.

https://newsense.ng/photos-dickson-quits-pdp-launches-nigeria-democratic-congress-warns-against-one-party-state/

VIDEO: Drama on Nonsmiraj Love Hunt as Lady Exposes Ex-Boyfriend Live on Show

A dating episode of the popular online love reality series hosted by skit maker Nons Miraj turned chaotic after a 27-year-old contestant publicly confronted and exposed her ex-boyfriend during the live taping.

The dramatic confrontation unfolded on the “Love Hunt” segment of the show, where single men hold balloons and pop them if they are not interested in a female contestant. However, what began as a routine matchmaking session quickly spiraled into a heated exchange when the lady identified one of the male participants as her former lover.

The contestant, who introduced herself as Messy Paulinos, said she is a makeup artist and realtor seeking a caring, playful, and ambitious man. She told the host she brings “love, care, and full support” to any relationship she enters.

Moments after her introduction, one of the male participants popped his balloon. When asked why, the situation took an unexpected twist as the lady pointed at him and declared him her ex-boyfriend.

“Don’t worry, I’ll expose him live on TV,” she said, drawing gasps and cheers from the audience.

The man, identified as Sulubanzi, admitted they previously dated. What followed was a fiery back-and-forth that revealed intimate details about their past relationship.

Messy alleged that they met during their National Youth Service year and that she financially supported him when he had little. According to her, she rented an apartment for him in Festac, bought him clothes, and regularly supplied foodstuffs.

“I invested in him because I believed in his future,” she claimed. “But once he got a government job, he vanished from my life.”

She further accused him of being a “gold digger” who took advantage of her generosity. The allegations triggered loud reactions from other participants and members of the audience.

Sulubanzi, however, dismissed her claims as “bygone issues” and insisted he has since moved on. He described himself as a content creator and business owner, stating that he is now financially stable.

In an attempt to prove his status, he itemised the cost of his outfit on stage, claiming his shoes were worth ₦120,000 and his wristwatch ₦60,000. The exchange escalated when Messy openly disputed the authenticity and value of some of the brands he mentioned, leading to laughter and jeers from the crowd.

At one point, she challenged him to open his wallet to prove he had cash, while he accused her of previously taking money from him without permission. Both hurled accusations at each other as the host struggled to regain control of the show.

Despite the tension, other male contestants proceeded with the dating segment. One participant rated her appearance a four out of ten, citing her dressing as unsuitable for a serious relationship, while another described her as good-looking but “not his type.”

Messy, unbothered by the criticism, maintained confidence throughout the episode, stating that she intentionally chose her outfit and does not care about first impressions.

https://newsense.ng/video-drama-on-nonsmiraj-love-hunt-as-lady-exposes-ex-boyfriend-live-on-show/

Raising the bar: How purpose-driven businesses are redefining quality and trust in Nigeria

Nigeria’s evolving business landscape is being reshaped by a new generation of entrepreneurs who believe that quality, purpose, and long-term impact must go hand in hand.

Across sectors, from manufacturing to marketing communications and finance, a quiet but powerful shift is underway. Increasingly, Nigerian businesses are rejecting shortcuts and profit-at-all-costs thinking, choosing instead to build brands anchored on standards, accountability, and national pride. This emerging ethos is clearly reflected in the philosophy and operations of Smithola Paints, under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Taiwo Oladipo.

For Oladipo, the journey into paint manufacturing began not with ambition alone, but with frustration. He recalled repeatedly encountering paints that failed at the most basic level of performance, products that stained clothes once walls were touched or quickly deteriorated after application. To him, these shortcomings were more than inconveniences; they were evidence of a wider problem in the market. Where many saw an industry norm, Oladipo saw a gap and, more importantly, an opportunity to do better.

Smithola Paints was therefore founded on a clear mission: to raise standards and restore trust. Rather than chasing immediate profits in an already crowded market, the company chose to focus on durability, user satisfaction, and consistency. Oladipo has often emphasised that the goal was never simply to add another Nigerian paint brand to the shelves, but to demonstrate that locally made products can rival—and even outperform—imported alternatives when quality is taken seriously.

Although Smithola Group of Companies has diversified interests spanning logistics, cargo handling, shipping, investments, and beauty products, paint production remains at the heart of its identity. According to Oladipo, extensive market research played a critical role in shaping the company’s approach. These surveys helped the team understand what Nigerian consumers truly value in a paint product: longevity, coverage, ease of use, and reliability.

One of Smithola Paints’ defining features is its insistence on quality across all price points. The company produces a wide range of paints, from premium drums costing as much as ₦200,000 to more affordable options around ₦16,000 per drum. While the grades differ, Oladipo insists that the underlying standard does not. In his view, affordability should never be an excuse for inferiority.

“Our philosophy is simple,” he has said. “No matter the grade, the customer must enjoy value.” This principle has helped Smithola Paints gain steady acceptance in the market, fostering loyalty and positioning the brand as a credible competitor in Nigeria’s paint industry. The company’s willingness to back its products with guarantees further reinforces its commitment to accountability and customer confidence.

Operating in Nigeria, however, comes with significant challenges. High production costs and infrastructural constraints often tempt manufacturers to cut corners. Oladipo is outspoken in his rejection of such practices, describing the deliberate production of substandard goods for profit as a betrayal of consumer trust. While he acknowledges that cutting costs may deliver short-term gains, he believes it ultimately leads to brand failure once customers uncover the truth.

Instead, Smithola’s strategy prioritises volume, consistency, and long-term relationships over excessive margins. Oladipo argues that modest profits multiplied through scale and repeat patronage can generate sustainable wealth far more effectively than deceptive practices ever could.

Maintaining this standard has required substantial investment. Oladipo revealed that billions of naira have been committed to infrastructure, working capital, and operational safeguards to ensure stability. He sees Smithola Paints not merely as a business for today, but as a legacy project; one designed to endure for decades and contribute to Nigeria’s reputation as a serious manufacturing nation.

Looking at the wider paint industry, Oladipo expressed concern over the proliferation of unbranded products and roadside chemical mixtures sold without regulation. Such practices, he warned, confuse consumers and undermine trust in the sector. While acknowledging the complexities of enforcement, he called on government authorities to strengthen regulation, ensure traceability, and protect consumers from quack products.

In Oladipo’s vision, quality is not just a selling point—it is a responsibility. And through that lens, Smithola Paints represents a broader movement of Nigerian businesses determined to build with integrity, lead with purpose, and leave a lasting impact.

https://newsense.ng/raising-the-bar-how-purpose-driven-businesses-are-redefining-quality-and-trust-in-nigeria/

Alleged $25.5m debt: Court appoints interim administrator for Green Energy, Lekoil

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an interim administration for Green Energy International Ltd. and Lekoil Oil and Gas Investments Ltd. following their alleged failure to pay 25.5 million dollars debt.

Justice Ambrose Allagoa also appointed Mr Chimezie  Ihekweazu (SAN), an accredited insolvency practitioner, as the interim administrator for both companies throughout the interim administration.

The judge ordered that Ihekweazu should do all functions of an administrator, except distribution of the assets of the respondents.

The judge ordered that the interim administration would continue until the determination of a substantive suit on the matter.

Allagoa also granted an order directing all banks and financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure that the accounts of the respondents would be controlled by the administrator   or his nominee.

He made the orders following an ex-parte application filed by H-PTP Energy Services Ltd. seeking restraining, mareva and injunctive orders against Green Energy and Lekoil.

The applicant averred in the ex-parte application that it sought the reliefs following alleged failure by the respondents to honour 25.5 million dollars debt obligation.

H-PTL Energy Services Ltd stated that Green Energy and Lekoil were indebted to it to the tune of 25.5 million dollars as Joint venture partners in Okatikpa Field, under Petroleum Mining Lease 11 located at Andoni, Rivers.

According to H-PTL Energy Services Ltd., the respondents have been indebted to it since mid 2025 and have been unable to liquidate the debt in spite of acknowledging the debt in writing.

H-PTP stated that in spite of demands and
notices it made, the debt had remained unpaid
and both respondents had become evasive
and were attempting to dispute the already-
agreed debt.

It stated that it attached all bank accounts,
receivables and stock of crude oil belonging
to, and produced from the two creditors of
Okatikpa field to the application.

Allagoa adjourned the case until Feb. 26, for
hearing of the substantive motion. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)



https://newsense.ng/court-appoints-interim-administrator-over-alleged-25-5m-debt-against-green-energy-lekoil/

Electoral Bill: Dickson Warns Against ‘Manual Loophole’ in E-Transmission Clause (VIDEO)


Senator Seriake Dickson has urged members of the Senate–House conference committee harmonising the Electoral Bill to retain the House of Representatives’ stricter provision on electronic transmission of results, warning that any manual backup clause could undermine electoral credibility.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Bayelsa West lawmaker framed the controversy not as a technical disagreement but as a defining test of Nigeria’s commitment to transparent elections. He argued that allowing manual collation where electronic transmission fails creates a “loophole” that could be exploited to manipulate results.

The harmonisation committee is expected to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of Clause 60(3) of the amended Electoral Act, particularly on whether results from polling units should be transmitted electronically without exception.

Dickson maintained that the House version reflects the consensus earlier reached by joint committees, consultants and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which, he said, had assured lawmakers of its technical capacity to deploy nationwide electronic transmission.

“If the law makes it compulsory, then it is INEC’s duty to acquire and deploy the necessary technology across the country,” he stated.

Integrity at the Collation Stage

According to the former Bayelsa governor, the heart of Nigeria’s electoral challenges lies not only at polling units but more critically at collation centres, where results are aggregated.

He noted that immediate electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) from polling units would significantly reduce opportunities for alteration.

“The issue of electronic transmission has become central to electoral integrity because manipulation often occurs at collation centres,” he said. “Once results are transmitted immediately after polling, it becomes difficult to alter them.”

Shock Over Senate Amendment

Dickson revealed that he was taken aback when he learned that while the House passed the agreed draft without changes, the Senate altered a key clause, replacing it with what he described as a weaker provision drawn from the previous law.

He disclosed that he only returned to plenary after a period of mourning following the sudden death of his state’s deputy governor, describing his attendance at the emergency session as a matter of national importance despite personal grief.

Civil society organisations and many Nigerians had raised concerns after the Senate inserted a proviso stating that where electronic transmission fails, manually collated results would serve as the primary evidence for declaration.

Although the Senate version retains the word “shall” regarding electronic transmission, Dickson warned that the exception could overshadow the rule.

“Exceptions should never become the norm,” he cautioned, adding that the proviso risks being abused under the guise of technical failure.

House vs Senate Provisions

The House version mandates that presiding officers electronically transmit results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time after completing and signing Form EC8A, with no reference to manual fallback as a primary source.

By contrast, the Senate version provides that while results “shall” be transmitted electronically, where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges, the manually signed Form EC8A would become the primary basis for collation and declaration.

For Dickson and other advocates of stricter safeguards, this distinction is not merely semantic but fundamental to public trust.

Call for Vigilance

The senator called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively engaged in the democratic process, describing the push for credible elections as an ongoing struggle.

“The prize for liberty is eternal vigilance,” he said. “Citizens must mobilise, participate, and insist that presiding officers comply with the law by transmitting results electronically.”

He also urged INEC to reinforce electronic transmission as the general rule through its guidelines and operational manuals, ensuring that technical provisions are not weaponised to subvert voters’ will.

Commending civil society groups and citizens for their watchfulness, Dickson stressed that imperfections in institutions should not discourage democratic participation.

As the conference committee begins its work, the outcome of its deliberations is expected to shape not only the wording of the Electoral Act but also public confidence in Nigeria’s future elections.


https://newsense.ng/electoral-bill-dickson-warns-against-manual-loophole-in-e-transmission-clause-video/

6 MANIPULATION TACTICS WOMEN USE TO CONTROL MEN

(Know Them or Be Controlled)

Men — if you don't know how manipulation works, you'll think abuse is love.

You'll call red flags "drama."

And you'll stay trapped in emotional chaos thinking you're being "a good man."

Let's break it down:

---

1. EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL
Turning Affection Into a Weapon

"If you really loved me, you'd do this..."

"I guess you don't care about me after all..."

These are not signs of love. They're psychological traps.

She's not talking to understand you — she's programming guilt.

You begin bending over backwards not from conviction, but from fear of her reaction.

You start shrinking. You lose your voice.

Love is not control. Love doesn't guilt trip.

Real women inspire action. Manipulators force submission.

---

2. GASLIGHTING
Destroying Your Confidence By Twisting Reality

She says things never happened.

She tells you you're "too sensitive" or "overreacting."

She minimizes your feelings until you start doubting your own eyes.

That's not communication. That's warfare.

Over time, your self-trust dies. You stop believing in your instincts.

And when you no longer trust yourself — she runs the relationship.

If you feel confused all the time, it's not your fault.

It's a strategy. Wake up.


Check others in link below ...

https://newsense.ng/6-manipulation-tactics-women-use-to-control-men/

FUOYE: We’ve increased our University’s IGR by 310 percent through creative, innovation investment- outgoing FUOYE VC

...as varsity produces 131 first class holders out of 7,396

By Wole Balogun
S.A. media to VC

Out-going Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina has disclosed that the University has increased her Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 310 percent under his watch during his five -year tenure. Prof. Fasina said this was made possible through innovative and highly creative investments in knowledge economy comprising Institute of Part-Time, Directorates and other initiatives.
His words: "Over the last few years, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti has recorded significant milestones that reflect purposeful leadership, institutional discipline, and steady growth.
First, the University achieved a remarkable 310 per cent increase in Internally Generated Revenue, strengthening financial sustainability and enhancing its capacity to support academic and infrastructural development.This financial growth has been matched by a notable expansion in student enrolment, further consolidating FUOYE’s position as a university of choice among prospective students nationwide.
" In terms of academic development, the University expanded its programme offerings significantly, growing from eight to 18 faculties and introducing eighty-four new academic programmes. This expansion reflects deliberate efforts to align teaching and learning with national development needs and global academic trends. As a result of these developments, FUOYE emerged as the fourth most subscribed university in Nigeria, out of a total of three hundred and three universities, according to
national admission statistics.
Human capital development has remained a priority. Within a five-year period, the University recorded over two hundred and four professorial promotions, a clear indication of
a vibrant academic environment that rewards scholarship, research productivity, and professional excellence.
The University’s progress has also been validated through international assessment. In the latest Times Higher Education 2026 rankings, FUOYE was ranked fourth in Nigeria, affirming its rising national stature.

*In addition, deliberate investments in carrying capacity, infrastructure, and staffing have ensured that academic expansion is supported by adequate physical facilities and qualified
personnel. With respect to global visibility, the University has continued to strengthen its ranking profile.
In 2024, FUOYE gained recognition across several prestigious Times Higher Education categories, including the Impact Rankings, World University Rankings, Interdisciplinary. Total Graduands: 7,396, First Class: 131, Second Class Upper (2:1): 2,519, Second Class Lower (2:2): 3,777, Third Class: 966, Pass: 3
Overall Best Student, Adeniyi Maryam Adedolapo ANA/2020/1006, B.Sc. Medical Science (Anatomy), CGPA: 4.89
Milestones of Stewardship.
When I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor, I came in with a clear vision and a twenty-point
agenda to reposition our University. Today, I stand before you to state that all items in the twenty-point agenda were accomplished to varying degrees, to the glory of Almighty God. Indeed, one can confidently conclude that FUOYE has undergone significant

Drive for internally generated revenue and risk-to-wealth initiatives, Expansion through increased student enrolment and growth in admissions, Sustaining the University Strategic Plan as a guide for achieving our vision,Institutional efficiency through the blockage of leakages and the elimination of waste

Establishment of an Advancement Directorate to harness alumni relations and the network of FUOYE friends
Establishment of drip irrigation fields and green revolution projects for wealth
creation through the production of high-value crops, Creation of Ventures and Consultancy Unit, Establishment of College of Medicine, Entrepreneurial vision through entrepreneurship training for all students, Establishment of an Institute of Food Security and Commercial Agriculture, Enhancing the visibility of FUOYE academic staff
one can confidently conclude that FUOYE has undergone significant
transformation. The twenty-point agenda are outlined below:
Creation of a Centre for Research, Innovation, Creativity and Grantmanship,
including the appointment of a Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships, research, Innovation and Linkages, and the appointment of Directors for Research, Innovation, Strategic Partnerships and Linkages.
Restructuring of the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology, An aggressive drive for infrastructural development, Improvement of University governance, enhancement of bursary efficiency, and
responsible spending including plans for the full computerisation of bursary
operations, Improvement of staff and student welfare, Strengthening University branding through the Media and Corporate Affairs Unit, Capacity building within the Registry and full deployment of information and
communication technology, Regular summits and retreats for planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement, Development and adoption of a Strategic Plan (2026–2030) Over the past five years, we have focused vigorously on the implementation of the twenty point agenda above. Find attached below the implementation framework and outcomes of the twenty-point agenda.
Science Rankings, and Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings. These achievements reflect growing academic maturity, increasing global visibility, and a sustained commitment to excellence.
Within the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, FUOYE ranked among twenty-six Nigerian universities, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals through research, innovation, and sustainable institutional practices. Furthermore, in its debut appearance in the Times Higher Education World University
Rankings, FUOYE ranked twelfth among twenty-one qualified Nigerian universities, out of three hundred and three universities nationwide. The University was also placed within the 1501-plus global band, signalling its growing relevance and emerging influence within the global academic community. FUOYE also recorded an impressive performance in the Times Higher Education lnterdisciplinary Science Rankings, securing seventh position nationally and ranking within
the 601 plus band worldwide. This achievement underscores the University’s growing strength in bridging disciplinary boundaries and applying research and knowledge to
address complex social and scientific challenges. Furthermore, in the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti attained another significant milestone, ranking tenth among Nigerian
universities and thirty-eighth within the Sub-Saharan African region. This recognition affirms the University’s growing strength in teaching quality, regional impact, financial sustainability,
and its deliberate efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and social responsibility.
Collectively, these accolades reinforce FUOYE’s mission to provide quality education while driving societal transformation through innovative research, inclusive institutional policies,
and sustained community engagement. As we celebrate these milestones, the University remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence and unwavering in its commitment to making meaningful contributions at local, regional, and global levels.ln the same year, FUOYE also recorded commendable performance in the World Scientist
and University Rankings. In the 2024 ranking released by AD Scientific Index Limited, the University emerged nineteenth among young universities in Nigeria. Significantly, two academic staff members were listed among the top twenty per cent of scientists globally, while four others ranked within the top thirty per cent worldwide, reflecting the growing visibility and impact of FUOYE’s scholarly output.

The AD Scientific Index is internationally recognised as one of the pioneering platforms that assess both overall and recent research productivity, using globally accepted metrics such
as the h-index, i10-index, and Google Scholar citation profiles.
Beyond global rankings, FUOYE’s status as the fourth most subscribed public university in Nigeria, based on Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board application statistics, remains a
strong indicator of its rising national profile and increasing appeal among prospective students. The FUOYE Twenty-Five-Year Strategic Plan identifies this achievement as
evidence of sustained enrolment growth and growing confidence in the University’s academic offerings, institutional stability, and overall value proposition. This positive perception is closely linked to programme relevance, affordability, accessibility, and the
University’s expanding portfolio of accredited programmes, supported by its dual-campus structure.
The University also recorded another major milestone with its inclusion in the 2026 World University Rankings by Subject, released on 21 January 2026. In this latest assessment, FUOYE was ranked in two broad subject areas—Physical Sciences and Social Sciences—further reflecting its rising academic strength, improving research output, and growing global visibility. Globally, FUOYE was placed within the 1251-plus band in Physical Sciences and the 1001-
plus band in Social Sciences. Nationally, only thirteen Nigerian institutions were ranked in the Social Sciences category, with FUOYE placed in the fourth band nationwide, demonstrating strong performance among Nigerian universities offering social science programmes. In Physical Sciences, only nineteen Nigerian universities were ranked, and FUOYE also emerged in the fourth band, standing alongside renowned institutions such as the Federal University of Technology Akure, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Ibadan, the University of Benin, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and the University of Port Harcourt. These achievements further underscore FUOYE’s steady progress in teaching quality, research impact, and academic reputation, while reaffirming its enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness.
In further strengthening its academic and professional orientation, the University established several new Colleges, notably in Medicine, Computing, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Data Science and Analytics. These Colleges are strategically positioned to address critical national needs in healthcare, digital transformation, security, and emerging technologies.
In addition, the FUOYE Business School was successfully established and has already graduated its first set of students, marking a significant step in executive education, professional development, and industry engagement.
The University also recorded substantial administrative and institutional expansion through the establishment of additional Directorates, Institutes, and specialised Units, thereby enhancing governance efficiency, research coordination, and service delivery.
This growth is clearly reflected in the University’s institutional profile between 2021 and 2026. Within this period, the number of Faculties increased from eight to eighteen, academic programmes expanded from seventy-three to ninety-one, Directorates grew from one to nineteen, Institutes increased from none to five, and Departments expanded from
sixty-seven to eighty-one. These figures demonstrate structured growth anchored on planning, accreditation, and capacity development. Importantly, ninety-one academic programmes have now been fully accredited, with interim accreditations secured for Pharmacy, Statistics, and Radiography, further affirming the University’s compliance with national academic standards.
Gentlemen of the Press, infrastructure development has remained a defining feature of this administration. Under the widely acknowledged Blue Roof Legacy, the University has successfully executed over one hundred and sixty infrastructural projects across its
campuses. These include the Senate Building, the Ndoma-Egba one-thousand-seater . Auditorium, Freedom Park, a Microfinance Bank, the Faculty of Law Building, modern science laboratory complexes, academic and social science buildings, professional buildings, and a state-of-the-art Computer-Based Test Centre.ln the area of digital transformation, the deployment of the FUOYE Integrated Digital System (FIDS) has significantly improved internet connectivity, operational efficiency, and
academic service delivery across the University. The University has also recorded impressive achievements in sports development.
FUOYE’s football team qualified for the 2024 Africa National Games, while the University’s overall sports performance earned it first position in Ekiti State, second in Nigeria, and third in Africa, reflecting the institution’s commitment to holistic student development.
In research, grants, and collaborations, FUOYE has continued to make remarkable progress. Thirty-four lecturers secured competitive research grants and equipment valued at
over four hundred and thirty million naira. Notably, Professor Emmanuel Bakare attracted a major international research grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, valued at over five hundred and thirty-four thousand dollars, focusing on data modelling and analytics.

In addition, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor attracted research equipment valued at fifty five thousand six hundred dollars, further strengthening the University’s research capacity.
Capacity building has remained a priority. Through structured training and conference support, three hundred and eighty-one academic and non-teaching staff benefited from professional development opportunities. Furthermore, one hundred and thirty academic staff
received support for advanced degrees, including PhD, Master’s, and MPhil/PhD
programmes, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of highly qualified faculty.
Also, the University institutionalised strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening academic mentorship and professional engagement through the Professors of Practice, Diaspora
Professors, and Emeritus Professors programmes. These initiatives have enriched teaching, research, and mentorship by drawing on the expertise of distinguished professionals, accomplished scholars in the diaspora, and retired senior academics whose
experience continues to add value to the University. As part of its commitment to bridging theory and practice, the University institutionalised the
Professors of Practice initiative, drawing distinguished professionals of national repute into teaching, mentoring, and academic engagement. Under this initiative, the University
appointed eminent legal and industry leaders, including Chief Wole Olanipekun, Yusuf Ali, Dr. Roland Otaru, Dr. Doyin Awoyale, Chief Sebastian Hon, and Mr. Lawrence Fubara. Their engagement has enriched professional training, strengthened industry–academia
linkages, and enhanced students’ exposure to real-world practice.
Complementing this initiative is the Diaspora Professors Programme, through which distinguished scholars from the global academic community contribute to teaching, research, and collaborative scholarship. Notable among them are Prof. Hartmut Herrmann and Prof. Khaneh Wadinga Fomba of the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig, Germany, whose engagement has strengthened international collaboration and research capacity within the University.
In further recognition of academic leadership and service, the University introduced a new Emeritus Professors policy, under which all former Vice-Chancellors, upon retirement, are to
be conferred with the title of Emeritus Professor. This policy preserves institutional memory, honours distinguished service, and ensures continued intellectual engagement. At this convocation, the University is proud to confer Emeritus Professorships on Professor Chinedu Nebo, Professor Isaac Asuzu, and Professor Kayode Soremekun.
Beyond academic expansion, the University has prioritised good governance and progressive policy reforms. Innovative initiatives such as the One-Day Vice-Chancellor Programme have promoted leadership development, inclusiveness, and administrative transparency. The University has also developed an effective postdoctoral
system, designed to strengthen advanced research, mentorship, and global competitiveness.

In fulfilment of its mandate to serve society, the University established fourteen outreach centres across Ekiti State, extending its impact beyond campus through community engagement, knowledge transfer, and developmental interventions. To secure the future of the institution, the FUOYE Strategic Plan (2026–2050) was carefully developed and formally adopted by the Governing Council. This long-term roadmap articulates the University’s vision, priorities, and pathways for sustainable growth, excellence, and global relevance. The University has also sustained a predictable academic calendar, coupled with affordable school fees, ensuring stability for students and parents alike. In addition, the digitisation of Student Union elections has strengthened transparency and democratic participation, contributing significantly to sustained campus peace.
In line with best practices in university governance, the institution successfully produced a successor through a robust, transparent, and Council-driven appointment process, further reinforcing confidence in FUOYE’s leadership succession framework.
Distinguished guests, these achievements naturally lead us to the strategic imperatives for the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, which are designed to consolidate existing gains, address
emerging challenges, and position the University for enduring excellence and global competitiveness.

Drawing from FUOYE’s remarkable growth trajectory, emerging constraints, and long-term aspirations, the
following strategic imperatives are critical to consolidating progress, addressing structural challenges, and
positioning the University for sustainable excellence and global relevance.
Strategic Imperative Rationale (Drawn from Progress & Challenges)
Strategic Focus / Expected
Outcome. Align Growth with Carrying
Capacity Student numbers and programmes are growing faster than infrastructure and staffing Sustainable expansion without loss of quality
Strengthen Academic Staffing
High workloads and staff shortages
affect teaching and research
Improved teaching quality
and research output Expand Infrastructure and Smart Learning
Classrooms, labs, hostels, and no
offices will become overstretched in
a short while. Better learning environment and campus safety.

https://newsense.ng/fuoye-weve-increased-our-universitys-igr-by-310-percent-through-creative-innovation-investment-outgoing-fuoye-vc/

VIDEO: Late Gospel Singer Omije Ojumi’s Husband Breaks Silence, Alleges Years of Marital Crisis, Separation and Child Custody Battles #omijeojumi #BunmiAkinnaanu

Barely days after the emotional burial ceremonies of late Nigerian gospel singer, Bunmi Akinnanu, popularly known as Omije Ojumi, fresh controversy has emerged following a lengthy and emotional account released by her estranged husband, Mr Rotimi Adeoye. In a multi-part narration circulating online, Adeoye detailed his version of events surrounding their marriage, migration struggles, alleged infidelity, prolonged separation, and bitter custody disputes involving their two children.

The account, which Adeoye says is his “truth,” traces their relationship back to the early 2000s, long before Omije Ojumi rose to prominence in gospel music. According to him, they were both members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) before he travelled to the United Kingdom in 2004 on an invitation visa. He claimed that although she initially declined a relationship, they later reconnected while he was abroad, leading to a family introduction in Mushin, Lagos, in 2004 and a court wedding at the Surulere Magistrate Court in December 2006.

Adeoye alleged that their marital troubles began shortly after the wedding when he became stranded in Nigeria due to repeated UK visa refusals. He claimed the situation strained the marriage, as Omije Ojumi allegedly refused to live with him despite their legal union. He further accused her of physical aggression during an argument, an incident he said was later acknowledged by her father, who apologised on her behalf.

According to Adeoye, despite the challenges, he continued to support his wife’s gospel music career, accompanying her to events, driving her band, and helping to build her brand both in Nigeria and abroad. He claimed that after securing temporary visas, both he and Omije Ojumi spent years shuttling between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, often under stressful immigration conditions.

Central to Adeoye’s narrative is the custody of their first child, Jomiloju, who was born in London. He alleged that Omije Ojumi frequently travelled to Nigeria for extended periods, leaving him as the primary caregiver. He described himself as a “single father in practice,” responsible for cooking, bathing, schooling, hospital visits, and childcare, particularly during periods when immigration restrictions made life more difficult.

Adeoye further claimed that while he remained in the UK with their daughter, Omije Ojumi allegedly lived independently in Nigeria and engaged in extramarital relationships with fellow gospel musicians and media figures. He named individuals he claimed were mentioned to him by third parties, stressing that these allegations deeply affected their already fragile marriage. He also alleged that pastors and spiritual leaders pressured him to allow his wife to remain in Nigeria on the grounds of “ministerial calling,” a development he said further alienated him.

The estranged husband also recounted events surrounding the birth of their second child, William (also referred to as Bobby). He claimed Omije Ojumi insisted on giving birth in the United States rather than the UK, despite his objections. Adeoye alleged he sent significant sums of money to support the delivery abroad and that his family in the US offered accommodation, which she allegedly declined. He further claimed his name was deliberately excluded from the child’s birth certificate following disputes over finances.

According to Adeoye, the situation deteriorated further when Omije Ojumi allegedly denied his family access to their son and later returned to Nigeria, leaving the child in the care of others while she resumed her music career. He alleged that the last time he saw his son before the singer’s burial was during the child’s first birthday in the UK, years earlier.

Adeoye also spoke about his own immigration ordeal, claiming he was arrested by UK immigration officials and narrowly avoided deportation due to his status as a single father caring for a minor. He said legal intervention allowed him to remain in the UK while pursuing settlement applications linked to his daughter’s residency status.

In the later parts of his account, Adeoye claimed that attempts at reconciliation failed despite promises from Omije Ojumi to reunite the family in the UK. He alleged that for nearly three years, she did not visit him or their daughter, citing professional engagements. When she eventually travelled to the UK for a short church programme, Adeoye said tensions resurfaced over unresolved custody and immigration issues.

Throughout his narrative, Adeoye repeatedly called on acquaintances, neighbours in Woolwich, and industry figures to “testify” to his role as an involved father and supportive spouse. He maintained that his decision to speak out was not to tarnish the image of his late wife but to respond to public narratives that portray him as an absent father.

As of the time of filing this report, the family of the late Omije Ojumi has not officially responded to the allegations. Friends and associates of the singer have also remained largely silent, though the claims have continued to spark intense debate on social media, particularly following recent emotional scenes involving their children during burial events.

https://newsense.ng/video-late-gospel-singer-omije-ojumis-husband-breaks-silence-alleges-years-of-marital-crisis-separation-and-child-custody-battles/

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