MATTERS ARISING 6060

  MATTERS ARISING 6060 Public opinion on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has shifted sharply negative, with disapproval now leading approval by 17.3 percentage points. According to the latest 2026 data released by data analytics firm Eagle Badger, the gap between those who disapprove and those who approve has nearly tripled since 2025. The comprehensive tracker highlights mounting economic grievance and a historic fracturing of the President’s traditional geopolitical support bases. National Picture: Year-on-Year Decline The data reveals a stark erosion of confidence over the last 12 months. In 2025, the President maintained a competitive, though negative, net rating of -6.2. By May 2026, that net rating plunged to -17.3. Disapproval rose to 47.5%, up from 43.4% in 2025, while approval dropped to 30.2%, down from 37.2% in 2025. The neutral and “Did Not Respond” category stands at 22.4% total, comprising 18% who chose neither and 4.4% who did not respond. The inten...

  KATSINA, Nigeria – May 30, 2026— Former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar, and his wife were abducted on Saturday morning along the Matazu axis in Katsina State while traveling to a wedding. According to accounts from the scene, the couple was traveling in a red Peugeot 504 when gunmen intercepted them around 10:30 a.m. The driver reportedly escaped with a gunshot wound. Photographs from Matazu police headquarters show the vehicle riddled with bullets and now parked at the station. Police authorities in Katsina State have yet to issue an official statement on the incident. The identities of the abductors and the current whereabouts of the retired general and his wife remain unknown as of press time. Rising Insecurity Concerns  The attack underscores persistent insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where banditry and kidnappings have affected residents and travelers across social strata. Security analysts note that high-profile figures in the region...

   Abuja, Nigeria — A growing number of Nigerian senators are reportedly backing calls for mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, server, a position that contrasts sharply with their earlier stance on the issue. The renewed advocacy comes months after many lawmakers supported provisions that made electronic transmission optional rather than compulsory. However, following the conclusion of the ruling party’s primary elections, several legislators who failed to secure return tickets are now championing reforms aimed at strengthening electoral transparency. Political observers say the shift reflects growing concerns among lawmakers about the integrity of internal party processes and the broader electoral system. According to analysts, many legislators previously expressed confidence in existing political arrangements, believing they would secure renomination for future elections. The outcome...

  KANO, Nigeria — May 30, 2026— Dr. Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, Executive Director of Finance at the Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure a second term in 2027, citing the Federal Government’s ongoing infrastructure and development projects across northern Nigeria. Speaking in a statement issued on Saturday, Kwankwaso said the Tinubu administration’s implementation of projects under the Renewed Hope agenda demonstrates a strong commitment to economic transformation, infrastructure development, and regional integration across the North-West and North-East geopolitical zones. According to him, the scale and visibility of ongoing projects have strengthened public confidence in the administration and could translate into significant electoral support for the President in the 2027 general election. Key Projects Highlighted Among the major projects Kwankwaso listed is the Kano–Kongolom Road dualisation, est...

Abure-Led Labour Party Picks Prince Kennedy Ahanotu as 2027 Presidential Candidate ABUJA, NIGERIA — May 30, 2026: The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has officially announced its National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The announcement was made on Saturday during the faction’s presidential, governorship, and House of Representatives primaries held in Abuja. The party’s Deputy National Chairman, Ayo Olorunfemi, who represented factional National Chairman Julius Abure, formally declared Ahanotu as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential race. Speaking after his emergence, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu expressed gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work toward strengthening the Labour Party and advancing national development. “With a full sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment to our nation, I proudly accept the nomination of our great party, the Lab...

  ABUJA, May 30, 2026— Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is facing scrutiny over his position on consensus-based candidate selection after moving from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to the National Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The debate centers on Obi’s opposition to consensus arrangements in ADC and his later emergence as a consensus candidate in NDC. Ibadan Summit and Initial Opposition On April 25, 2026, opposition leaders including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Peter Obi met in Ibadan. Reports from the summit indicated agreement that the opposition group would adopt a consensus presidential candidate before the 2027 election. Following the meeting, claims emerged that Obi and some southern political figures expressed concerns about zoning and the implications of consensus for candidate selection within ADC. Obi did not publicly comment during subsequent coalition discu...

  Abuja, Nigeria – May 30, 2026 The National Executive Committee, NEC, of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has approved the results of its recently conducted primary elections for various elective positions across the country. This was contained in a public notice issued following the party’s 101st NEC meeting, held at its national headquarters in Abuja. According to the communiqué signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the committee ratified the outcomes of primaries conducted for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship, and presidential elections, except for contests that are still subject to pending appeals or have not yet been concluded. The NEC also approved a 12-month extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee, NWC, allowing the party’s current leadership to remain in office for an additional year after the expiration of its existing mandate. In another key decision, the committee authorized the establish...

  Kaduna, Nigeria – May 30, 2026 A member of the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, has reportedly provided educational support to 1,540 students across various tertiary institutions and academic programmes, according to figures contained in a scholarship and educational intervention report circulating on social media. The breakdown shows that beneficiaries were drawn from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, nursing institutions, and secondary school examination programmes. According to the report, Kaduna State University, KASU, received the highest allocation, with 107 beneficiaries receiving support valued at ₦12 million. Kaduna Polytechnic followed with 100 beneficiaries and ₦6 million, while Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic recorded 67 beneficiaries with ₦5 million in assistance. Other institutions listed include:   1. Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria – 100 beneficiaries, ₦5 million   2. University of Abuja – 50 beneficiaries, ₦5 million...

         Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 30, 2026* The Royal Government of Cambodia has announced the termination of an immigration waiver previously granted to African nationals residing in the country, directing affected individuals to leave Cambodia on or before May 31, 2026. According to an official notice issued by Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior, the directive applies to African citizens, including nationals of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and other African countries who benefited from the waiver arrangement. The notice stated that all foreign nationals whose immigration-related fines have been settled must depart Cambodia before the deadline. Authorities warned that any affected foreigner found in the country from June 1, 2026, will face strict legal consequences. Under the new enforcement measures, individuals who remain in Cambodia after the expiration date could face:   1. A prison sentence of up to t...

  ABUJA, May 29, 2026— Three years after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, questions are mounting over the impact of the policy and the whereabouts of projected savings. The president made the declaration without prior briefing or documented plan, later admitting the announcement was made spontaneously. Since then, Nigerians have faced sharp increases in fuel prices, transport costs, and living expenses. Poverty Levels Rise According to World Bank data released in April 2026, the poverty rate in Nigeria has climbed to 63 percent, with over 140 million Nigerians now living in poverty. Before the subsidy removal, the poverty rate stood at 56 percent. The increase has intensified public debate over whether the reform has delivered promised benefits or worsened hardship for vulnerable households. Where Are the Savings? The International Monetary Fund estimated that subsidy removal would save Nigeria about N700 billion monthly, roughly 2 ...

BAUCHI— The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has affirmed Naziru Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections in Bauchi State. The affirmation took place during the party’s special delegates’ congress held on Thursday in Bauchi. Dahiru Bauchi is the son of the late renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi. His emergence signals APGA’s bid to strengthen its presence in the state ahead of the 2027 polls. Congress Affirms Candidacy Delegates at the congress unanimously affirmed Dahiru Bauchi’s candidacy, positioning him to fly the party’s flag in the governorship race. Party officials described the process as peaceful and transparent. APGA leaders at the event expressed confidence that Dahiru Bauchi’s background, family name, and connection to the state would resonate with voters. They said the party is focused on presenting candidates with credibility and grassroots appeal. Who is Naziru Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi?  Naziru Sheikh Dahiru...

  Analysts call for human development, education, and social justice to tackle insecurity ABUJA— Poverty and ignorance remain the driving forces behind rising criminal motivation in Nigeria and other developing societies, experts say, warning that insecurity will persist unless governments address the root socio-economic causes of crime. In a critical examination of the nation’s security crisis, analysts argue that crimes such as armed robbery, cybercrime, kidnapping, banditry, drug abuse, cultism, and violent extremism are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper social and economic failures. The Crisis Incidents of violent crime and social unrest continue to threaten peace, stability, and national development. While governments and security agencies have intensified law enforcement operations, research shows that criminality is often rooted in socio-economic and educational deprivation. “Among the most significant causes of rising criminal motivation are poverty and ignoranc...

  MATTERS ARISING 6060 ABUJA— Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank, has alleged that security agencies are planning to manipulate audio and video recordings linked to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in an effort to damage his reputation and justify his continued detention. In a statement issued on Friday, Frank claimed El-Rufai has been under intensive surveillance while in custody, alleging that conversations between the former governor, his family members, and legal representatives were being secretly monitored and recorded. According to Frank, security operatives have gathered extensive audio and video materials from El-Rufai’s detention facility and are reviewing the recordings for content that could be used against him. He further alleged that authorities intend to deploy artificial intelligence tools to alter portions of the recordings to create incriminating material. “Nasir El-Rufai has been placed under co...

  MATTERS ARISING 6060 Analyst Blames Nigeria’s Governance Challenges on 1999 Constitution, Calls for System Overhaul ABUJA — Political analyst Aliyu Nuhu has criticized Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and the presidential system of government, arguing that both have contributed significantly to the country’s persistent governance and development challenges since the return to democracy in 1999. In a strongly worded commentary, Nuhu alleged that former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar introduced the 1999 Constitution without extensive public consultation, laying the foundation for many of the nation’s current political and economic difficulties. According to him, although the military government faced pressure to return the country to civilian rule following the death of Gen. Sani Abacha in 1998, adopting a constitutional framework modeled largely on the defunct Second Republic was a major mistake. Nuhu argued that the current arrangement replicated many structural weaknesses th...

  ABUJA— Veteran actor and political commentator Kenneth Okonkwo has launched a scathing attack on the New Democratic Congress, NDC, alleging widespread fraud, extortion, and manipulation in the party’s internal processes. In a post on X on Tuesday, Okonkwo claimed the “real structure of criminality” within the NDC is now fully exposed, accusing party leaders of selling nomination tickets to the highest bidders and announcing results before primaries are conducted. “The real structure of criminality is manifesting. Aspirants are being extorted for tickets. Results are being announced before primaries and tickets are sold to the highest bidders,” he wrote. Allegations Against Party Leadership Okonkwo further alleged that the NDC operates without a formal structure, claiming that “party headquarters” now functions from the living room of Senator Seriake Dickson, former Governor of Bayelsa State. He described a recent party meeting as resembling “a drug lord conference,” and criticize...

  Umuahia, Abia State — Governor Alex Otti has commended the progress achieved under his administration as Abia State records significant milestones in infrastructure and service delivery. In a statement on the state’s development trajectory, Governor Otti highlighted ongoing reforms across key sectors, noting that the administration’s focus on accountability, transparency, and people-centered projects is producing visible results statewide. The governor stressed that the government’s commitment to prudent resource management and inclusive governance has restored public confidence and positioned Abia for sustainable growth. “Our focus remains on building a state that works for everyone,” Governor Otti said. “Through disciplined management of resources and deliberate investment in critical infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for long-term prosperity.” He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue prioritizing projects that directly impact citizens’ lives, from road...

KADUNA— A video of Hon. Muhammad Abubakar Mamadi, Senior Political Adviser to Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, allegedly boasting about repeatedly writing election results for Igabi Local Government Area has sparked outrage, with citizens demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mamadi and his allies. In the viral clip, Mamadi, while addressing APC stakeholders from Igabi LGA who paid him a Sallah homage, openly claimed that he and others have “several times written election results” in the council area. He boasted about the act as proof of the party’s capacity to deliver victory for the APC and President Bola Tinubu in 2027. “Me yasa mutane suke fitowa ƙarara, da gadara, suke alfahari da aikata laifi, ba tare da shakka ba?” a concerned citizen wrote in reaction to the video. Translation: “Why do people now come out boldly and shamelessly, boasting about committing crimes without fear?” Allegations Made in the Video   https://youtu.be/w5VjidR3V0o?si=6W8m7XeWXCd...

MATTERS ARISING 6060 ATIKU ABUBAKAR: THE FATHER OF NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY History repeatedly demonstrates that political defeat does not necessarily signify the end of a noble journey. On the contrary, some of the world’s most celebrated statesmen endured numerous setbacks before eventually ascending to positions of historic greatness. One of the most compelling examples remains the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. In 1832, Abraham Lincoln suffered his first electoral defeat when he contested for a seat in the Illinois State Legislature. Yet, rather than retreating into despair, he persevered with remarkable determination, steadily cultivating his political philosophy and public reputation. In 1838, he encountered another setback in his bid to become Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, a position decided by legislative votes. Again, in 1843, Lincoln failed to secure the Whig Party nomination for the United States Congress. By 1848, he lost his re-election...

ABUJA— Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi met in Abuja on Monday in a high-level discussion that signals growing unity within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, who recently emerged as the ADC presidential candidate after a nationwide primary, paid a surprise visit to Amaechi at his Abuja residence. The two leaders said they held “deep and honest conversations” on the state of the nation, focusing on worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity, and the need for patriotic Nigerians to come together to rescue the country. “The challenges facing Nigeria today demand more than partisan politics,” Atiku said after the meeting. “We discussed practical steps to unite Nigerians of goodwill and offer the country credible leadership that prioritizes the people.” The meeting underscores the ADC’s consolidation as a broad opposition platform. Both Atiku and Amaechi were top contenders in the party’s...

  ABUJA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accepted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, pledging to lead a broad coalition to “rescue” Nigeria’s democracy from what he described as APC’s oppressive rule. In his acceptance speech, Atiku said the ADC primary proved that democracy remains alive in the party despite what he called attempts by the ruling APC and state institutions to stifle opposition politics nationwide. “We demonstrated that while democracy is being strangled and squashed by the ruling party and its oppressive and anti-democratic government, democracy is alive and well in the African Democratic Congress,” he said. “In our party, members are allowed to express their views, to have ambitions and to contest for elective positions in a free, fair and transparent process.” Coalition built to ‘save democracy’ Atiku described the ADC as a coalition forged through “hard work, immense sacrifices and compromises” to counter ...

DELTA — Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Age, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC, citing recent political developments in Delta State and his desire to pursue his political objectives outside the ruling party.   In a resignation letter dated May 22, 2026, addressed to the APC Ward Chairman of Orogun Ward 2 in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Omo-Age said the resignation takes immediate effect.   The former senator stated that the decision followed extensive consultations with associates and supporters. He noted that the interests of Delta Central and Delta State would be better served outside the APC.   “I will not remain a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State, and Nigeria,” the letter read.   Omo-Age thanked the APC for the opportunity to serve as Deputy President of the 9th Senate. He also requested that his name be removed from all party membership records and c...

ABUJA— Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has secured the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections after defeating former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatudeen in the party’s primary. According to the final result declared by the ADC electoral committee, Atiku polled 1,855,787 votes to clinch victory. Amaechi finished second with 509,397 votes, while Hayatudeen garnered 180,903 votes. The election recorded a total of 2,546,457 votes cast out of 3,113,599 registered party members eligible to participate. Atiku’s win positions him as the ADC’s flagbearer as opposition parties begin to consolidate ahead of the 2027 polls. The outcome marks a significant shift for the party, which has positioned itself as a platform for a broader opposition coalition. Neither Amaechi nor Hayatudeen had issued a formal statement on the result at the time of filing this report. The ADC is expected to unveil its campaign struc...

  ABUJA — Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, Prof Usman Yusuf, has filed a complaint against Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso with the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force. In the petition submitted to both security agencies, Yusuf accused the former Kano State governor of making threatening and inciting statements directed at him. He said the remarks could endanger his life and create insecurity. Yusuf urged the DSS and police to investigate the matter and take necessary steps to protect his safety and maintain public order. “As of now, Senator Kwankwaso has not responded publicly to the allegation,” the statement noted. The former NHIA boss called on security agencies to act swiftly to prevent any escalation and ensure peace. He also prayed for an end to conflict among national leaders and for greater understanding in the country. The development adds to ongoing political tensions within the New Nigeria Peoples Par...

ABUJA— Nigeria is on track to spend nearly half of all its revenue servicing debt in 2026, a fiscal strain that analysts warn could choke public investment and deepen economic pressure ahead of the 2027 elections. According to the 2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, MTEF/FSP, the federal government expects to spend ₦15.52 trillion on debt servicing next year. Against projected federal retained revenue of ₦34.33 trillion, that puts the debt service-to-revenue ratio at 45%. President Bola Tinubu confirmed the figure on May 13, stating that Nigeria will spend $11.6 billion on debt service in 2026 alone.  A rising burden The burden has grown rapidly over the last decade. Debt servicing stood at ₦942 billion in 2014. By 2021 it had climbed to ₦4.2 trillion, hit ₦12.6 trillion in 2024, and is now set to exceed ₦15 trillion in 2026. The MTEF projects the ratio worsening to 53% in 2027. Multilateral lenders classify anything above 50% as fiscal stress, a point...

                 ABUJA — Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of losing its founding ideals, warning that the party’s reliance on consensus arrangements in primaries is pushing it toward implosion. Speaking on Thursday during an interview on _State Affairs_, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, Fayemi said the APC had deviated from the vision of its founders and was stifling internal debate. “There’s no intellectualism in the APC because there’s no debate in the party,” he said. “I was very explicit that this is not where the party has come from, that we have lost our bearings and the vision of the founding fathers of the party.” Fayemi, a founding member of the APC, criticised the growing trend of aspirants seeking consensus endorsements from the Presidency and party leadership. He argued that shutting out other contenders undermines democratic processes and breeds resentment. “It’s unfortuna...

  IBADAN, Oyo State— Former Minister of Power and Oyo State APC governorship aspirant Chief Adebayo Adelabu has alleged widespread irregularities in the party’s governorship primary held Thursday, describing the exercise as a “complete fraud.” Speaking to journalists after voting at his polling unit in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Adelabu said reports from across the state indicated gross misconduct, including voting held hours before the scheduled time and results recorded in wards where no voting took place. “In some wards, they conducted the election hours before the appointed time and wrote the figures they liked,” he said.  The former minister claimed his supporters were disenfranchised in several wards, with some prevented from voting through intimidation and violence. He added that in other areas, affirmation of a single candidate was conducted despite multiple aspirants being cleared for the race.  Adelabu said the process failed to meet the standard o...

YOLA, Adamawa State — Former Adamawa State Governor Senator Muhammed Umar Jibrilla Bindow has withdrawn from the race for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, gubernatorial ticket ahead of the next election cycle. In a press statement issued on behalf of the former governor, Bindow said his decision to step down was voluntary and reached after “deep personal reflection and careful consideration.” He stated that the move was based entirely on personal grounds. Bindow affirmed that his commitment to the ADC remains unchanged despite exiting the gubernatorial contest.  “While I may be stepping aside from the gubernatorial race, I want to state clearly and unequivocally that my commitment, loyalty, and dedication to the ideals, leadership, and collective aspirations of the ADC remain firm and unwavering,” he said. He pledged to continue supporting the party’s leadership, stakeholders, and members at all levels, adding that he would back efforts aimed at strengthening the ADC and advan...

  North West Crime Activist Thato Molosankwe Shot Dead at Home in Mahikeng MAHIKENG, South Africa — Community activist and traditional healer Thato Molosankwe was shot dead at his home in Lomanyaneng village near Mahikeng early Wednesday morning, police confirmed. Molosankwe, 48, sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the attack and died at the scene. The South African Police Service said the shooting occurred in the early hours of 20 May 2026. Acting National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane condemned the killing and ordered the deployment of maximum police resources to track down the attackers. She said investigators would “leave no stone unturned” in bringing those responsible to justice. The case has been handed to the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, which is treating it as a targeted assassination. Police described Molosankwe as “a community-minded individual who played an important role in assisting police efforts aimed at fighting crime and corruption, as well...

  AWKA— Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has warned traders that any shop sealed for refusing to open on Mondays will attract a ₦20 million fine, with an additional ₦20 million penalty for unlawfully unsealing it. “Any trader who refuses to open their shop on Monday and it gets sealed will pay ₦20 million. If you unseal it yourself, you will pay another ₦20 million,” Soludo said while addressing traders on the state’s enforcement drive against the Monday sit-at-home order. The governor said the state government is determined to end the practice and insisted that residents must go about their lawful businesses without fear or intimidation. Crackdown on sit-at-home  Soludo has repeatedly directed markets and shops in Anambra to open on Mondays, describing the weekly shutdown as economic sabotage. The state government estimates that the Monday sit-at-home costs Anambra about ₦8 billion weekly, and the wider South-East region roughly ₦19.6 billion. In recent months, the gover...