Author: Daily Post Nigeria

Fresh controversy has emerged in Taraba state following the arrest and continued detention of frontline Taraba Central Senatorial aspirant, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, with allegations that pressure is being mounted on him to withdraw from the 2027 senatorial contest.

He also urged Bodejo’s supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the matter is being resolved.

Bodejo was reportedly arrested in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, on May 7, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, before being flown to Abuja overnight. 

Sources disclosed that he was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he has remained in detention till now.

Sources close to the matter alleged that barely 48 hours after his detention, authorities approached the senatorial hopeful with a request to withdraw from the 2027 race as part of conditions for his release.

The sources further claimed that Bodejo, who also serves as National President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association, was advised to shelve his ambition until 2031.

Reacting to the development, Bodejo’s Campaign Director, Adamu Isa, condemned the manner of the arrest and subsequent transfer of the aspirant to Abuja.

Describing  the incident as humiliating, Isa  alleged that Bodejo was treated “like a common criminal” in the presence of his supporters.

“Bodejo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, had made significant contributions to the party, including supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election through personal resources and political networks.

Those opposed to Bodejo’s senatorial ambition should have pursued dialogue rather than allegedly resorting to intimidation through security agencies,” Isa stated.

According to him, Bodejo remains a law-abiding citizen with the constitutional right to contest or withdraw from the race at his discretion, stressing that any resolution must come through peaceful dialogue among stakeholders.

He further alleged that the consensus committee reportedly set up by the Taraba chapter of the APC never invited Bodejo for discussions before his arrest.

The campaign director appealed to the national leadership of the APC and other key stakeholders to intervene and ensure justice, including the immediate release of the aspirant.

Controversy deepens over detention of Taraba senatorial hopeful, Bodejo

The Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has advised all political actors and citizens to ensure that Nigeria remains a thriving multi-party constitutional democracy in line with the nation’s inalienable history and political development.

The leaders of SMBLF made the observation at the end of an emergency meeting held in Abuja, saying: “That the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall remain in the southern region thereof in the next four years, consequent upon the 2027 general elections, in the interest of national political stability, particularly as such zoning arrangement, having been established even by political parties, has been the trend and is emerging as part of the national democratic culture since 1999.”

The communiqué was signed by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Leader of Afenifere and Chairman of SMBLF; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Amb. Godknows Igali (CON), Chairman of PANDEF. The group advised all political parties to zone and elect their presidential candidates from Southern Nigeria.

SMBLF also stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be, and be seen by Nigerians to be, truly independent in handling the affairs of political parties and the conduct of all elections.

The group expressed concern over the unabated controversy surrounding certain sections of the Electoral Act, which it said could significantly affect the integrity of elections and cause avoidable tension in the polity, and urged the National Assembly to review them.

SMBLF stated: “That in view of the importance of the Electoral Act to free and fair elections and credible democratic processes, a special committee of the SMBLF was inaugurated for a holistic review of the concerned sections of the Act.

“That the judiciary should remain truly independent and ever alert to its constitutional role of interpreting the Constitution and the laws in the interest of peace, stability and progress of the nation and its democracy.”

The forum advised the Nigerian press to remain vigilant as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, in line with its acknowledged historic role in the struggle for Nigerian independence and as a veritable defender of democracy.

SMBLF passed a vote of confidence in the capacity and patriotism of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to protect lives and property, as well as the nation’s territorial integrity, but lamented inadequate personnel commensurate with the size and population of the country.

The group also observed with dismay the “red-carpet treatment and incentives given to purportedly repentant terrorists” by the Nigerian state and some sub-national governments under the guise of amnesty, while victims of their genocidal crimes remain involuntary guests in IDP camps, wallowing in squalor, with their homes still occupied by terrorists and no hope of return.

On state and community policing, SMBLF noted the efforts and steps taken by the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police on the convocation of state and community policing, following the memorandum presented to the National Assembly by the Inspector General of Police.

On xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, SMBLF expressed concern over what it described as misguided xenophobic aggression by some South Africans against Nigerians and other Africans on the spurious grounds that immigrants were taking their jobs, alongside sweeping allegations of criminal activities.

On restructuring and the economy, SMBLF insisted on the restructuring of the federation to give federating ethnic nationalities and constituent states the required autonomy in line with true federalism, upon which Nigeria was built by its founding fathers. The group also called on the Federal Government to redouble efforts to address the suffering of Nigerians amid the prevailing global economic situation.

2027: Southern, Middle-Belt leaders insist on zoning presidency to South, cautions INEC, others 

Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist during a coordinated ambush operation along bandit crossing routes within the Adankolo Forest Reserve in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. The operation, carried out under Operation TIGER PAW II, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition and other items believed […]

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The campaign council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sunday affirmed that the governor’s growing popularity across the state is strong enough to secure his re-election in 2026, even without the use of campaign billboards and posters. Speaking during a press briefing held to announce the opening of the Imole Campaign Media Centre in […]

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Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick has dismissed claims that Real Madrid performs better without Kylian Mbappe, asserting that the French forward is the finest striker globally.

Mbappe, aged 27, is in the process of recovering from a hamstring injury, while Los Blancos secured a 2-0 victory against Espanyol during his absence. 

He resumed first-team training last week but was not fit enough to play against Flick’s squad in a La Liga match at Camp Nou.

Flick was questioned about whether Los Merengues exhibit greater cohesion in the absence of the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner. 

He responded via Goal, “Real Madrid plays better without Mbappe? He is one of the best players in the world, please. He is incredibly gifted on the pitch. 

“He is dangerous in every situation. In front of goal, he is the best in the world. He is dangerous both inside and outside the penalty area.”

Mbappe has been exceptional this season, despite 45 million fans reportedly signing a petition to see him leave the club. 

He has netted 41 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions for Alvaro Arbeloa’s team, contributing six assists as well.

In total, Mbappe has made a remarkable contribution of 85 goals and 11 assists in just 100 appearances for the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu side thus far.

LaLiga: ‘He’s dangerous, best’ – Hansi Flick hails Real Madrid star

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned state governors that unpredictable fiscal policies at the sub-national level could frustrate efforts to achieve price stability under the country’s inflation-targeting framework.

The warning was delivered during a recent engagement between the apex bank and the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, as both institutions intensified collaboration aimed at strengthening inflation control measures nationwide.

According to a statement issued by the CBN, the Deputy Governor in charge of the Economic Policy Directorate, Muhammad Abdullahi, said Nigeria’s transition to an inflation-targeting regime represents a move toward a more transparent, rule-based, and forward-looking monetary policy system that requires strong coordination with state governments.

He explained that although the CBN remains responsible for deploying monetary policy tools to manage inflation, fiscal decisions taken by state governments significantly influence inflation outcomes.

Abdullahi noted that inflation targeting largely depends on managing public expectations, stressing that expansionary or poorly coordinated fiscal activities by states could weaken the impact of monetary policy measures.

He identified several channels through which states affect inflation, including borrowing patterns, rising domestic debt, spending behavior, wage obligations, execution of capital projects, salary arrears, contractor financing, overdrafts, and weak coordination on Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, receipts, debt servicing, and cash management.

“In an inflation-targeting regime, persistent, unpredictable, or expansionary fiscal behavior at the sub-national level can significantly undermine price stability,” Abdullahi said.

Also speaking, the director general of the NGF, Abdullateef Shittu, hailed the apex bank and its leadership for what he described as the strategic foresight behind the engagement.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate stood at 15.38 per cent in March 2026, while food inflation was recorded at 14.31 per cent.

Inflation: Unpredictable fiscal behaviour undermine price stability – CBN to Nigerian Governors

Eleven persons, including 10 adult males and one adult female, died on Sunday night in a lone accident at Eruku Bridge along the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway. This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Odunsi Afolabi. The PRO said the […]

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Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of educational and associated institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has directed its branches to suspend their nationwide indefinite strike today. This was the outcome of a fresh agreement reached after a series of meetings between the unions. However, the Federal […]

The post FG orders NASU to end strike, as UI students ground activity on campus appeared first on Tribune Online.

Residents of Mararaba, an outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and other road users are facing a difficult period as traffic gridlock worsens in the area. 

A densely populated area, Mararaba, plays host to many civil servants and business owners working in the FCT, who find accommodation relatively cheaper. 

It is also one of the gate-passes for commuters from the Southern part of the country to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, contributing to its reputation as having one of the busiest road channels, with traffic gridlock stretching as much as 11 kilometres from Abuja during rush hours. 

DAILY POST reports that the demolition of the popular Mararaba Bridge and ongoing construction of a new twin flyover project along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, has worsened the situation.

Recall that the popular Mararaba Bridge was brought down some months ago to create space for a planned overhead bridge, leaving commuters heading towards the Keffi and the FCT axis in a more difficult situation.

Speaking to DAILY POST, many commuters complained of the impact of the road construction on them. 

Some said with the construction equipment narrowing the passage to and fro the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, thousands were forced into a painfully slow crawl as there is no other alternative.

A driver who was stuck for over an hour described the experience as frustrating.

“Immediately after Sani Abacha Bus Terminal at One Man Village, shortly before Mararaba, everything stopped moving. 

“The traffic, which has become a daily routine now, didn’t ease until the police checkpoint, the boundary that demarcates the FCT and Nasarawa state,” he said.

On his part, a commuter, simply identified as Sunny, said the absence of proper traffic management worsened the situation. 

“Only a few traffic officers have been visible, leaving drivers to navigate the chaotic stretch on their own. Poor lighting in certain sections also raised fears of potential accidents,” he stated.

Another commuter, who gave her name as Nkechi Ikechukwu, said that she has to wake up earlier than before so as to beat the already overstretched traffic gridlock.

“Mararaba is known for its appalling gridlock, especially in the morning when people are going to work and then in the evening when people are coming back from work. You know that this axis holds a very considerable percentage of Abuja workers. 

“Ever since this construction started, I have been waking up by 4am to start preparing for work, unlike the 5am which I used to,” he said.

Speaking also, Abdul Mustapha called on authorities to coordinate better with construction companies, provide timely information, and deploy more personnel to manage traffic during roadworks.

“My own is to just urge the Federal Government to make the construction companies speed up with their work to alleviate the suffering of the motorists and commuters. 

“It’s quite tiring that you will leave your office after the stress of the day and still come to face this heavy traffic here,” he added.

Mararaba residents, other road users groan as gridlock worsens

Anambra Governor, Charles Soludo, has explained the rationale behind the crackdown on fake pastors in the state. According to him, the move targets social reformation and protecting vulnerable residents from religious exploitation. Soludo spoke on Sunday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the All Knights Day of the Catholic Diocese of Awka. The Anambra governor said […]

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