Category: cover

 

Vehicular and pedestrian movements were brought to a halt at the Berger axis of Lagos on Saturday morning as security operatives barricaded access routes into the state ahead of the local government elections.

 

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation, observed that scores of commuters were stranded while several vehicles were turned back at the ever-busy point at 7:32am.

Berger road is deserted. | Credit: Daniel Ayantoye

A combined team of policemen, Federal Road Safety Corps officers were seen enforcing movement restrictions.

 

Military personnel were also seen patrolling the route.

 

Security personnel at Berger area barricade vehicle movement inward Lagos. | Credit: Daniel Ayantoye

The barricade caused long queues of stationary vehicles as passengers alighted and trekked considerable distances to their destinations.

 

Some residents who spoke expressed frustration over the development, saying they were unaware of any movement restrictions despite the elections.

One of the passengers who approached a senior police officer at Berger said he was on his way from Port Harcourt and was unaware of the election.

 

“We are unaware that there was an election in the state. We are just coming from Port Harcourt. We are here for something. We are going to Ikeja”, the passenger said.

 

They were, however, denied access.

 

The Lagos State Police Command had earlier announced restrictions between 6am to 3pm to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election, which is expected to produce new officials for the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

 

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has expressed disappointment over the slow pace of work at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex project.

 

He described the pace of work as “grossly abysmal” and falling far below expectations.

 

The administrator made the remarks during an inspection tour of the project site along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, on Friday.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday night by the media aide to the Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo.

 

Ibas also inspected key sporting facilities, including the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, and the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, to assess their readiness for hosting sporting events.

 

He stated that the contractor’s performance was unacceptably slow, contrary to agreed-upon timelines.

 

“On the performance level right now, I think the contractor needs to do more.

 

“And from the reports rendered by the consultants, they are not moving fast enough, and that is not good enough.

 

“I am not satisfied with what I have seen. The pace of work is far below acceptable standards, and this is simply not good enough,” Ibas said.

 

To address the delays, the administrator directed the contractor to immediately intensify efforts and expedite work to meet the project’s deadline.

 

“This project is of strategic importance, and any further delays will not be tolerated.

 

“We must all commit to doing what is necessary to meet the expectations of the people,” he emphasised.

Ibas disclosed that he would summon the contractor for a meeting to realign efforts and ensure all parties are fully committed to delivering the project promptly.

 

During his inspection of sporting facilities, Ibas highlighted the outstanding performances of Rivers State youths in national and international competitions, stressing the need for modern, well-maintained infrastructure to nurture their talents.

“I just went to check and see the state of those facilities.

 

“We have our state’s team participating in continental tournaments, yet we have to travel outside the state for our matches.

 

“I am sure we can do something to ensure we benefit locally.

 

“That’s precisely why we are here, to see what we can do,” he stated.

 

The administrator reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising sports infrastructure to provide athletes with world-class training facilities, keeping them competitive on the global stage.

 

He added, “The contractor handling the RSHA Complex project has been directed to immediately ramp up work.

 

“A high-level meeting will be convened to address bottlenecks and ensure compliance with agreed timelines.

 

“Plans are underway to upgrade sporting facilities to support local athletes and attract major sporting events to Rivers State.”

 

Ibas noted that the state government under his watch remains resolute in its pursuit of infrastructure excellence, accountability, and timely project delivery.

 

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party is an institution that cannot be threatened by talks about an emerging coalition, noting that the party remains united and undivided in the South-West.

 

The governor said that PDP leaders in the South-West have resolved that as responsible leaders, they would stay in the party and fix whatever challenges arise, adding that the PDP would deal with its issues and come out stronger as the only credible political alternative for Nigerians.

 

Makinde stated this on Friday, while speaking with newsmen shortly after a meeting of the South-West PDP Caucus, held at the South-West PDP Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.

 

He said, “We want the whole world to know that the PDP in the South-West is united and we are together and that the coalition is not a threat to the PDP.

“Who are these people in this coalition? They were in some parties before, whether the PDP or the APC. What are their antecedents? Does it mean that anytime they move from one party to the other, they have repented or they have something new to offer the people? These are salient questions.

 

“This Soji Adagunodo House is for the PDP South-West. If the roof is leaking, as leaders of the PDP in the South-West, are we going to abandon the building and go somewhere else to take refuge? No.

 

“We will stay inside here and fix it to let the people know that we are responsible leaders and we have the interest of the people at heart.

 

“So, a lot of people can say whatever they like, but in a party like the PDP, which is an institution, we have our own ways and means of dealing with such issues. When we get to the point where we have to deal with such issues, I give you the assurance that we will.”

 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, says the party is on the path to victory in the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.

 

Obi expressed optimism on Friday in Onitsha, during the campaign for the LP governorship candidate, Dr George Moghalu and his running mate, Ifeoma Okaro.

 

Addressing a gathering of party stalwarts and supporters at the All Saints Cathedral field, Onitsha, led by the state party chairman, Ugochukwu Emeh, including the party’s lawmakers, such as Senator Tony Nwoye, Obi pledged that the party would stand with the candidates.

 

He said the rally was aimed at deepening the party’s grassroots movement and reaffirming its shared commitment to equity, good governance and people-oriented leadership.

 

Obi used the occasion to clarify the reason for joining the ADC coalition, insisting that he still belongs to the LP while the coalition is for the 2027 elections.

 

He said, “I will start the conversation by clarifying some confusions, making the round, and I need to explain to you, and it is very important that I clarify this because people are saying, ‘Oh! Obi is in the ADC and also in the Labour Party.

 

“Let me put it categorically clear, I and the National Assembly members of the party are part of the coalition that has adopted ADC for the 2027 election, and other parties will join us.

 

“But today, we are members of the Labour Party. If anybody asks you which party Peter Obi belongs to today, tell them Peter Obi is in the Labour Party. If anybody asks you about the coalition, tell them the coalition is for 2027.

“Everyone has the right to run for president — I won’t stop anyone. But if anyone asks, let them know I am in the race, and no one does it better than me.

 

“It is important that they know that, and that is why we are here to initiate the campaign of the Labour Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr George Moughalu.

 

“Our candidate is soft-spoken, focused, and an achiever. He is a product that is highly marketable, and I am confident that with him as our flagbearer, good governance and people-oriented leadership is assured.”

 

Addressing the gathering, the state Chairman of the party, Ugochukwu Emeh, said the rally is aimed at deepening the party’s grassroots movement and reaffirming its shared commitment to equity, good governance and people-oriented leadership.

 

“Let us unite with purpose and resolve to shape a brighter and more inclusive Anambra. Together, we move forward— for the people, and with the people,” he added.

 

The gathering featured addresses from the stalwarts and members of the party, including the governorship candidate, Moghalu and his Deputy, Okaro.

Representatives at both National and State Assemblies, party stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers also addressed party faithful at the rally.

 

Some members of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State on Friday opposed the idea of granting Governor Ademola Adeleke an automatic governorship ticket should he decide to join the party.

 

The party members, who wielded placards with inscriptions such as “No vacancy in APC,” “We say no to Ademola Adeleke,” and “Our party is not for sale,” staged a peaceful protest at the APC state secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital.

 

There have been speculations that Adeleke may be considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC.

 

However, there has been no official confirmation from either the governor or the APC, although the rumour has continued to dominate political discussions in the state in recent days.

 

Concerned about the possibility of Adeleke being handed the APC governorship ticket if he defects, the party members, led by Taofeek Afolabi, said some aspirants had already declared interest in contesting for the ticket, and it would be unfair to sideline them.

 

Speaking to journalists during the protest, Afolabi said, “We are members of the All Progressives Congress, and we are here this morning to register our concern over the rumoured defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the APC.

“We are not saying he should not join our party. Adeleke joining the APC will certainly boost our ranks. He is the sitting governor, and having him with us will strengthen the party.

 

“However, what we oppose is the idea of giving Governor Adeleke an automatic ticket. If he wants to re-contest, he should show interest and contest for the gubernatorial ticket alongside other aspirants.”

 

Afolabi further emphasised that they are not against Adeleke’s defection to the APC.

 

“There are people who have already indicated interest in the race, and we believe it would be unfair to hand the ticket to Adeleke automatically.

 

“That is our only concern. We have no issue with him joining our party,” he added.

 

Former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu stated that Buhari remained connected and well-informed about events in Nigeria throughout his time in office.

 

In his book “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” launched on Tuesday in Abuja, Garba Shehu revealed that he invented the Villa rat invasion story to shift public focus from worries over President Buhari’s health and ability to lead.

 

During his administration from 2014 to 2023, President Buhari once responded to a security-related question in a media interview by saying, “I am not aware.”

 

This statement quickly became a defining phrase associated with him, often used by opposition figures and critics to highlight perceived gaps in his leadership.

 

However, in Chapter 6 of his book titled “The Muhammadu Buhari Persona” (page 108), Shehu noted that the former President regularly stayed informed by reading newspapers, listening to the radio, and watching television news channels every day.

 

According to Shehu in the book, “Buhari is a publicly aware person. In office, he took more than a passing interest in knowing what was happening in the country and around the globe and what was being written about his government, even if it was a paragraph in a newspaper.

“That was why he was supplied a dozen or more newspapers in the morning to start the day, even before getting to the office.

“The delivery of his newspapers early in the day was a mandatory exercise, at home in Abuja, and wherever he happened to be. A driver went on daily trips to Kano from Daura, a journey of about two hours with light traffic, to pick up newspapers for him. (Even now, out of office, that arrangement continues).

 

“He also loved listening to the radio and watching television. I had noticed his attention switching between the papers and the TV.

 

“Even then, he had a disdain for public exposure, or, perhaps, the camera-still and motion.”

 

The South-West Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Friday, distanced itself from the coalition of opposition political parties, urging all members to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind its leaders in the zone in navigating through all issues at both the zonal and national levels.

 

This formed part of the communique read by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Sanya Atofarati, after the meeting held at the PDP Zonal Secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

 

PUNCH Online reports that a coalition of opposition parties in Nigeria has adopted the African Democratic Congress as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

 

The decision was made after a meeting by the opposition leaders, including former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Senate President, David Mark; ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola among others.

 

Atofarati declared that the party had resolved to intensify efforts to ensure the victory of PDP in the upcoming bye-elections in and Ogun State as well as the Local Government Council election in Lagos State.

 

The party commended and appreciated both Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke and other party leaders in the zone for their untiring roles in ensuring the stability and growth of the PDP as the prominent political party in the region.

 

He was confident that PDP, as a party of choice in the region and Nigeria at large, would record a sweeping victory in the coming elections.

The party reaffirmed its unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to the unity, stability, progress and success of the party at all levels in the zone and across the country.

 

“The caucus reaffirms that the PDP in South-West is intact and urges all organs and relevant bodies of the party to remain focused and continue to work assiduously towards the successful conduct of the scheduled National Convention to further strengthen and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.

 

It read, “The caucus states that it is not part of the reported coalition and urges all members of the PDP to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind our leaders in the zone in navigating through all issues at the zonal and national levels. The caucus, however, supports the position of the National Working Committee that our party remains open to working with other well-meaning, like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress.

 

“It demands that the Federal Government immediately release the withheld Osun State Local Government Allocation. The withholding of the state Local Government Allocation by the Federal Government is unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and well-being of the people of Osun State.

 

“We express very serious concern over the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country under the APC administration. The caucus reechoes the declaration of Governor Makinde that the 2027 election will be between Nigerians and the APC, with Nigerians ultimately triumphing under the banner of the PDP.”

 

The party, therefore, urges Nigerians not to lose hope but remain resolute and continue to rally with the PDP as the party leads the charge to rescue the nation from the misrule of the current administration.

 

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has commended members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State for the successful completion of the party registration exercise, which ended last Sunday.

 

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, on Friday, noted that the seven-week exercise started on a very low pace but gained momentum that it surprised its handlers as to the huge number of people who came out to register in the 193 wards in the state.

 

“My commendation goes to all the members of our parties who came out to make this idea a success.

 

“They demonstrated boldly that they are proud members of the great PDP, a party whose platform remains the best through which good governance can be provided for the people.

“I also appreciate the young men and women who were in charge of the registration exercise, the volunteers who mobilised old and new members, the local party leaders, and others who worked day and night to ensure the process improved every day until the end. I thank all of you.

 

“Today, the Kwara PDP is perhaps the only state branch in and outside the fold in the country that has an accurate record of its membership and can therefore project its growth over the coming months leading to the election. This is a good development for us as a party.

 

“Incidentally, this is a local initiative, and it has become successful because the people wanted it and also made it possible. In Kwara PDP, we have set a good example for the other state branches to emulate. I am proud of our people,” he stated.

 

He further urged the people to keep up the spirit and take it into the 2027 elections, where they should work to win the elections and give the people a new lease of life.