₦airaland Forum

The Presidency has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over his pledge to serve only one term if elected president, saying his political history shows inconsistency.

Obi had said in a viral clip from an interview scheduled to air on News Central TV on Thursday that he would not remain in office beyond four years “even with a gun to my head.”

Reacting on Thursday in a post on X, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the promise, insisting that Obi’s past political decisions show a pattern of broken loyalty.

“If you believe Peter Obi’s promise to serve only one term as president, you’ll believe anything,” Onanuga said.

He said Obi had previously pledged loyalty to the All Progressives Grand Alliance while serving as governor of Anambra State but later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Peter Obi’s pledges have always been short-lived. He ultimately abandoned APGA for the PDP, and since then, he has drifted from one political platform to another—a political rolling stone,” he stated.

According to Onanuga, Obi’s political movements over the years show that his promises are unreliable.

“By his own actions, Peter Obi has shown that his word cannot be trusted. His promises are as fleeting as his political allegiances,” he added.

Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, where he finished third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He has since joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress following his exit from the African Democratic Congress coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The directive Is contained in an internal police wireless message issued by the Inspector-General of Police and seen by SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

The Nigeria Police Force has ordered Point of Sale operators across the country to stay at least 200 metres away from police stations and formations, citing growing allegations of extortion and corrupt dealings involving some operators and police personnel.

The directive Is contained in an internal police wireless message issued by the Inspector-General of Police and seen by SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

According to the signal, the police authorities expressed concern over what they described as the increasing presence of POS operators around police facilities and allegations linking some of them to corrupt practices and extortion.

The message stated that the development was undermining ongoing police reform efforts aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and professionalism within the force.

“INGENPOL has observed with utmost dismay the alarming rate at which Point of Sale (POS) operators are increasingly conducting transactions in/around the vicinity of police formations,” the wireless message read.

It added that “numerous allegations of complicity in corrupt practices/extortion” had been attributed to some of the operators.

The police hierarchy consequently directed that no POS operator should be allowed to operate within a 200-metre radius of any police formation nationwide.

“INGENPOL therefore directs that on no account should any POS operator be seen within a 200-meter radius of any police formation,” the message further stated.

The directive also warned Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and heads of police formations that they would be held “vicariously liable” for any violation of the order within their jurisdictions.

The message specifically instructed command commissioners of police and heads of formations to monitor compliance and ensure strict enforcement of the directive.

SaharaReporters gathered that the order is connected to longstanding public complaints alleging that some police officers use nearby POS operators to extort and receive bribes from civilians at checkpoints, stations and other police facilities.

In recent years, several Nigerians have accused security personnel of forcing victims of extortion to make instant transfers or withdraw cash through POS agents stationed close to police formations.

Human rights groups and anti-corruption advocates have repeatedly raised concerns over the practice, warning that it contributes to abuse of power and undermines public trust in law enforcement institutions.

The Nigerian government has announced that candidates seeking admission to study education-related courses and agriculture programmes outside engineering disciplines will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The new policy, which takes effect from the 2026/2027 admission cycle, was unveiled on Monday during the annual admission policy meeting organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed that candidates with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects would now be eligible to seek admission into Colleges of Education without taking the UTME.

According to the minister, affected candidates would still be required to register with JAMB for documentation and admission processing despite being exempted from the examination.

He explained that their academic credentials would be screened, verified and certified before admission letters are issued through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), in line with existing regulations.

Confirming the development in a statement posted on its official X handle, JAMB said: “Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programs and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME.”

The annual policy meeting organised by JAMB is traditionally used to determine admission guidelines, cut-off marks and other procedures for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.

Although exemptions from the UTME already exist for some categories of candidates, including Direct Entry applicants, the latest decision is considered one of the broadest waivers introduced into Nigeria’s tertiary admission process in recent years.

The development is expected to significantly alter admission processes into education-related programmes and non-engineering agriculture courses, while also creating alternative pathways into tertiary education outside the conventional UTME route.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday again adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by an African Democratic Congress chieftain, Nafiu Bala Gombe, challenging the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter sine die after the plaintiff informed the court that he had applied to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the case to another judge.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 has generated a fresh leadership crisis within the ADC following the emergence of Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in the party’s leadership structure.

At the resumed proceedings, counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, told the court that the Supreme Court had on April 30 dismissed the interlocutory appeal earlier filed by Mark against the proceedings.

He said the apex court also set aside the Court of Appeal’s order staying proceedings in the substantive suit.

“The interlocutory appeal of the second defendant has travelled to the Supreme Court. My Lord, we are glad to inform this honourable court that on the 30th day of April 2026, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the interlocutory appeal dismissing the said appeal for lacking in merit,” he said.

The lawyer, however, disclosed that the plaintiff had written a letter dated May 4, 2026 to the Chief Judge seeking reassignment of the case to another judge.

Haruna urged Justice Nwite to await the administrative decision of the Chief Judge on the request.

“At this juncture, we must humbly pray to your Lordship, to wait for the administrative decision of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court,” Haruna said.

The request was opposed by lawyers representing the defendants, who accused the plaintiff of attempting to frustrate the accelerated hearing earlier ordered by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court.

Counsel for the first defendant, Realwan Okpanachi, faulted the plaintiff for allegedly ambushing the defence with the transfer request.

“We have not received any communication regarding that application. My Lord, so as it is, we don’t know the form or the content of that application. Therefore, we take the approach of the plaintiff as an ambush,” he said.

“We also consider it as an attempt to frustrate the order of accelerated hearing granted by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court,” he added.

Counsel for the second defendant, Sulaiman Usman, described the move as “forum shopping and judge shopping.”

“So my Lord, for the plaintiffs to come back to this court, and to inform us today that they have written a private correspondence to the Honourable Chief Judge, and to hinge that to make a request for this court to await the outcome of that private correspondence, is not only unfortunate My Lord, but a dangerous trend which must not be allowed to stand,” he said.

Counsel for the fifth defendant, P.I. Oyewole, also opposed the request, describing it as “strange” and accusing the plaintiff of inviting the Chief Judge “to indulge in judicial rascality.”

Responding, Haruna maintained that the plaintiff stood by the application.

Ruling, Justice Nwite held that the court could not take any action on the letter without hearing all parties.

“Taking a decision or any action in such a letter without hearing from the defendants will amount to breach of their fundamental right in this suit,” the judge ruled.

He added that since the letter was addressed to the Chief Judge, the trial court could not make any pronouncement on it.

Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter indefinitely.

“This matter is best adjourned sine die to afford the parties properly file a Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the interlocutory appeal in the suit, to serve the defendants with the letter addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge, and finally to await further or any directive from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court,” Justice Nwite said.

Gombe is seeking an order restraining Mark, Aregbesola and others from parading themselves as leaders of the ADC, arguing that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.

The best time to see Adams Oshiomole in his element is when he is fighting and speaking for issues that will directly benefit him. He takes no prisoners. pic.twitter.com/Ez25DoW54e

— Dejii™ (@_Dejii) May 7, 2026

Oshiomhole calls for Akpabio’s resignation over Senate rule changes

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North/APC) has called for the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio following the controversy surrounding the recent amendment to the Senate Standing Orders regulating the emergence of presiding and principal officers.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Oshiomhole criticised the revised rules, describing them as evidence of what he termed a “moral crisis” within the Senate. According to him, the amendment raises serious concerns about equity, qualifications and ethical leadership in the upper legislative chamber.

The former Edo State governor maintained that Akpabio would no longer qualify to preside over the Senate under the same rules currently being proposed and debated.

He stated, “This rule has serious moral crisis. The Senate president became minority leader on his first term. He is now the one presiding and asking us to change those rules even those who have done one term can’t even contest.

“As we speak today, the senate president has not done eight years in office even if you count the previous one plus the current one.

“So if we pass the rule that we must do eight consecutive years before you can become Senate president, it means he has to lead by example by vacating because he is presiding without acquiring necessary qualification.”

Oshiomhole also referenced the tenure of former Senate President David Mark, arguing that leaders should not alter rules after benefiting from existing provisions.

“More offensive to me is that as leaders who are products of by-laws, we must not make laws to perpetrate anyone. David Mark had the honour and privilege of serving as Senate president for eight years, not by playing by the rules.

“Those rules that enabled David Mark to preside for eight years, what happened to them? Why changing them now because he fears that more senators will be eligible which will broaden the competitive base. So he wants to soak it. If other people are afraid, I am not,” he added.

The demand for Akpabio’s resignation follows recent heated debates in the Senate over the amendment to the Standing Orders, which introduced tougher conditions for senators seeking principal offices in the 11th National Assembly.

Under the revised rules approved on Tuesday, only lawmakers who have served at least two uninterrupted consecutive terms would be eligible to contest for key leadership positions, including Senate president and other principal offices.

However, the Senate on Thursday reversed aspects of the amendments to Orders 2(2) and 3(1), citing concerns that parts of the changes could conflict with Section 52 of the 1999 Constitution.

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde is yet to pick his preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election, contrary to insinuations.

His Chief Press Secretary, who doubles as the Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju made this declaration while speaking with DAILY POST Thursday morning.

DAILY POST reports that rumour surfaced yesterday night that the governor has named his preferred candidate who is believed to fly the ticket of his political party.

The rumour, which was published in some online platforms, stated that Makinde named Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance, during the administration of the immediate past governor of the state, Abiola Ajimobi as his preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.

But, Olanrewaju which contacted, denied the endorsement.

Olanrewaju in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST, explained that the governor is still consulting.

He added that no person has been announced so far.

He maintained that the governor is yet to announce anyone as his preferred candidate as at the time of filing this report on Thursday.

Olanrewaju said, “No, they are still consulting. They are still consulting on who the candidate would be. They are yet to announce.

“I said that they are still making consultations. No announcement has been made. No candidate has been announced”.

Dangote Refinery has effected another upward price adjustment, raising its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit to N1,350 per litre.

The latest adjustment, confirmed on Wednesday by a senior official of Dangote Refinery and pricing platform Petroleumprice.ng, represents a N75 increase from the previous N1,275 per litre, reinforcing a pattern of frequent price recalibrations that has defined the market in recent weeks.

The official said the new gantry price has been implemented across all loading channels, forcing marketers to immediately adjust their pricing templates amid tight supply conditions and shifting cost realities.

A senior official familiar with the development said, “The new pricing template has been activated across the board. All loading points have been updated, and marketers are already responding by adjusting their depot prices. This is not an isolated change; it reflects prevailing supply and cost pressures in the system.”

The price increase comes barely a week after Dangote Refinery raised its ex-depot price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre, highlighting the rapid pace of adjustments in the downstream market and the refinery’s growing influence on domestic fuel pricing.

It is also the second N75 increase within seven days.

Despite these upward revisions, a senior management official of the Dangote Group recently revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been subsidising the petrol and diesel it sells to the Nigerian market.

The fresh increase also comes against the backdrop of a temporary halt in the issuance of pro forma invoices earlier this week, a development that market players say further constrained product availability and intensified upward price movements across the downstream value chain.

“The suspension of PFI created a short-term supply squeeze,” the official added. “When you combine that with international crude price movements and logistics costs, it becomes inevitable that depot prices will adjust upward. What we are seeing is a direct market response to those realities.”

Within the past month, Dangote Refinery has adjusted its petrol prices multiple times, reflecting changes in crude sourcing costs, foreign exchange pressures, and domestic distribution dynamics.

The hike underscores a broader trend of sustained price volatility linked to the refinery’s evolving pricing strategy since it began dominating local supply.

It had earlier reduced prices slightly in response to competition and inventory build-up, only to reverse course as supply tightened and global oil prices firmed.

The frequent price movements signal a transition phase in Nigeria’s deregulated fuel market, where domestic refining is beginning to replace imports but is still exposed to international cost variables.

The increase is expected to cascade into higher pump prices across the country, as marketers pass on the additional costs to consumers already grappling with inflation and high transportation expenses.

For millions of Nigerians, however, the immediate concern remains the impact on daily living costs, as another petrol price hike threatens to push transportation fares and commodity prices even higher.

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide audit of arms and ammunition across all state commands, as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and prevent misuse of operational assets.

This is coming after a viral video showed officers shooting a restrained, handcuffed man at close range after a suspicious package was found.

Following outcries as a result of the video, four police officers, led by ASP Nuhu Usman, were dismissed from service and their case file transmitted to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Speaking during a meeting with senior officers in Abuja on Tuesday, Disu mandated police commissioners to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and properly documented stocktaking exercise, with detailed reports to be submitted to the Force Headquarters within a stipulated timeframe.

He said, “I hereby direct all commissioners of police to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective commands.

“This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented, with detailed reports forwarded to the Force Headquarters within the stipulated timeframe.

“The objective is clear: to strengthen accountability, identify existing gaps, and provide an accurate assessment of our operational needs.

“Let me emphasise that this is not a routine administrative task, but a critical measure to enhance our readiness, prevent misuse, and ensure that all assets entrusted to the Force are properly accounted for and optimally deployed.”

Speaking on the extra-judicial killing, the IG described the incident as unlawful and a violation of professional standards.

“That act was wrong. It was unlawful. It violated the sanctity of human life and the professional standards of this Force,” he said.

Disu disclosed that the officer involved and members of his team had been dismissed, while the case file had been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for criminal prosecution.

“This matter will not be swept aside. Accountability will be pursued to its full and logical conclusion,” he stated.

Disu also directed commissioners of police to convene regular town hall meetings with key stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth and women groups, and transport unions.

“These are not ceremonial events. Commissioners must sit with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organisations, women’s groups, and transport unions to gather information and build genuine partnerships,” he said.

As part of efforts to boost accessibility, the IGP ordered commissioners to make their contact details available to community leaders within their states.

“When a community leader needs to reach their commissioner of police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice,” he added.

Disu also urged citizens to volunteer information to security agencies.

“If you see something, say something. We are listening, and we will act,” he said.

In a related development, Disu also announced the restructuring of the police anti-crime architecture with the creation of a new formation, the Violent Crime Response Unit, to replace the Special Weapons and Tactics units.

According to the IG, the VCRU represents a fundamental shift in tackling serious crimes, with officers undergoing specialised training in tactical operations, human rights compliance, intelligence analysis, and rules of engagement.

“Critically, civilian oversight has been built into the operational framework of the VCRU from the very beginning.

“These units will operate strictly on the basis of credible intelligence… and their operations will be subject to structured review,” he said.

He noted that police commissioners would retain full command and accountability for the unit in their respective states and directed that the VCRU be formally launched with public visibility and stakeholder participation.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, has ordered all police personnel to always have their name tags on their uniforms for easy identification.


Disu disclosed that only police personnel who are undercover are exempted from displaying their name tags.

Speaking on Tuesday, Disu said: “All police officers should have their name tags. All of us on the high table have our names apart from the undercover among us so if you look at all the Commissioners of Police we have our name tags, so it’s not our standard.

“All the Commissioners of Police are here and that is why we called this meeting, we have list of things like this that we will want to discuss with the Commissioners of Police, we have told them earlier and we will still let them know that every that happens within their area of jurisdiction falls under their control.”

On the issue of state police, the IGP said: “Since we got the signal that the Federal Government of Nigeria intend to establish State Police and since we are the federal police, we decided to take the bull by the horn and put down our own side of what we believe on how the state police should be run.


“A lot of things were taken into consideration, a lot of comparative analysis was done and it has been transmitted to the National Assembly.”

RISQUE:
City go draw this match. Mark this.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Federal Government (FG) of favouritism over the ongoing construction of a N25 billion church building at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
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‎In a statement, Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, also slammed the Federal Government for giving out the sum of N2 billion to victims of violence in Plateau State “without a corresponding donation to victims of the same violence in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, etc”.
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He said: ‎”The Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have flagged off the construction of a N25 billion (25 billion naira) ecumenical chapel and pilgrimage centre located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
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‎”FG should explain this preferential treatment. Nigerian Muslims deserve better than this. Tongues are wagging in the mosques. Muslim social media platforms are buzzing with frenzy over this lopsided arrangement.
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‎”The sum of N2 billion was also given to victims of violence in Plateau State without a corresponding donation to victims of the same violence in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, etc. Is this fair?
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‎”In another disturbing development, N1.2 billion was allegedly donated to all the 19 states of Northern Nigeria for the approaching ‘Id al-kabir (Salah). The identity of the donor cannot be disclosed here for lack of proper reference though it is as close to FG as it’s jugular vein.
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‎”How can only one state be given N2 billion while all the 19 states in the North are asked to share N1.2 billion? But is it right to treat Muslims like second class citizens, a la animal farm?
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‎”It is interesting to note that critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket are silent over this unequal treatment of Muslims and Christians by our ‘Muslim-Muslim’ government.
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‎”So we must ask FG to tell Nigerians when land of equal size will be given to the Muslims to build their grand national mosque. Of course FG must not forget the N25 billion cooling off somewhere in the Central Bank which will accompany the land allocation for Muslims.
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‎”What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. It is our right, and our right is our right. The question is not ‘if’ but ‘when’ and the sooner the better. No excuses.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the economic direction of President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigerian workers are bearing the brunt of policies that have deepened hardship nationwide.

In a workers’ day statement on Friday on his X handle, Atiku said the 2026 commemoration was marked not by celebration but by deep reflection on the worsening condition of the Nigerian worker.

“This year’s Workers’ Day is not a moment of joy for millions of Nigerians.

“It is a painful reminder of broken promises and a growing burden placed on the shoulders of those who keep this country running,” he said.

Atiku aimed at the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he described as necessary but poorly executed.

“Let me be clear: the removal of fuel subsidy was inevitable and long overdue.

“However, its implementation by this administration was hasty, unstructured, and devoid of the necessary safeguards to protect ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

According to him, the immediate aftermath of the policy saw a sharp rise in the cost of living, with transportation, food prices, and basic goods becoming increasingly unaffordable for workers.

“What we have witnessed is a dramatic surge in the cost of living without any commensurate increase in wages or meaningful support systems.

“The Nigerian worker has been left to absorb shocks that should have been mitigated by responsible governance,” he added.

The former presidential candidate also questioned the management of funds saved from the subsidy removal, arguing that many Nigerians have yet to see tangible benefits.

“Trillions of naira have reportedly been saved, yet the average Nigerian cannot point to a single aspect of their lives that has improved as a result.

“This raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and priorities,” he said.

He further called on the Federal Government to adopt policies that directly ease the burden on workers, including wage adjustments, targeted social interventions, and investments in critical sectors such as healthcare and education.

“Economic reforms must be people-centred. Growth that does not translate into improved living conditions for workers is neither inclusive nor sustainable,” Atiku added.

Reaffirming his solidarity with Nigerian workers, Atiku urged the government to listen to their concerns and act decisively.

“On this Workers’ Day, I stand in solidarity with every Nigerian worker.

“Their resilience is remarkable, but resilience should not be mistaken for endurance of endless hardship. The time to act is now,” he added.

Workers’ Day, celebrated annually on May 1, honours the contributions of workers and the labour movement.

In Nigeria, it has increasingly become a platform to highlight economic challenges and call for improved welfare and working conditions.