Author: Daily Post Nigeria

Peter Obi and Senator Seriake Dickson are currently attending the National Convention of the Nigeria Democratic Convention, NDC, in Abuja.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that the convention, which is expected to host delegates from across the country, is taking place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Los Angeles Event Centre, Ahmadu Bello Way, FCT, Abuja.

The convention is coming shortly after a strategic meeting held at the residence of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, which was attended by Peter Obi and Dickson.

There are expectations that Obi and Kwankwaso would fly the flag of the NDC in the 2027 general election.

The two former governors recently defected to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Peter Obi, Seriake Dickson attend NDC National Convention in Abuja

The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission, ADSIEC, has indicated readiness to conduct election for chairmen of the 21 local government and councilors for the 226 wards across the state.

The election holds next month, June 13.

As part of preparations for the council elections, ADSIEC has held a meeting with chairmen of political parties at its headquarters in Yola, on the approved election time-table.

During the meeting, the Chairman of ADSIEC, Alhaji Mohammed Umar, stressed that ADSIEC has made adequate preparations to ensure success of the poll. 

He reaffirmed that the election will be held on June 13, 2026, as earlier scheduled, and urged all political parties to guide their members towards participation.

This was as he announced that 11 political parties have submitted candidates for the polls.

Responding on behalf of the political parties, the representative of African Democratic Congress at the meeting, Mr. Adamu Usman, commended ADSIEC for its early preparations.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Bello Babajo, called for a free, fair, and transparent election.

Adamawa set for local government election

Arsenal will on Sunday make history after their Premier League clash with West Ham United.

The Gunners will face the Hammers in an away Premier League tie at the London Stadium on Sunday evening.

However, according to OptaJoe, the Premier League North London club will become the first team from Europe’s top five leagues to reach 60 matches in all competitions this season after the West Ham match.

Arsenal head to the game after eliminating Atletico Madrid from the UEFA Champions League semi-final stage played in mid-week.

Mikel Arteta’s side will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final later this month.

They currently top the Premier League table with five points ahead of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

EPL: Arsenal to make history after West Ham United clash

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said that not every case of fever should be treated as malaria.

He said only about 5 per cent of patients presenting with fever in Lagos tested positive for the disease.

Abayomi disclosed this in a post on X while reflecting on activities marking World Malaria Day 2026 at the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

According to him, Lagos State has made significant progress in reducing malaria prevalence through strategic interventions, data-driven policies, and improved surveillance systems aimed at achieving malaria elimination.

He said malaria prevalence in Lagos had dropped from about 15 per cent 15 years ago to less than two per cent today, despite the state’s coastal geography and proximity to neighbouring states with prevalence rates between 20 and 30 per cent.

The commissioner explained that the state government conducted one of the largest operational malaria studies in Nigeria, testing over 78,000 residents through a network of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors and community pharmacies under the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Programme.

He noted that the findings confirmed a significant decline in the malaria burden in Lagos, adding that many residents who self-medicate for malaria may actually be suffering from other illnesses.

“This means that many people treating themselves for malaria were likely suffering from other illnesses requiring different forms of care. It also explains why many patients believe malaria medicines are “not working” when, in reality, the wrong condition is being treated,” he said.

Abayomi said the state had adopted a new malaria control strategy built on four pillars — Prevent, Test, Treat, and Track.

Under the strategy, the government plans to intensify vector control and environmental management, eliminate presumptive diagnosis through mandatory rapid diagnostic testing, ensure only confirmed cases receive antimalarial treatment, and strengthen surveillance systems to monitor trends and identify hotspots.

He added that clinicians across the state were also improving fever evaluation through detailed history-taking, physical examination, and appropriate investigations to support accurate diagnosis and treatment.

“We are winning this fight through science, data, innovation, and sustained investment. Let us stop the guesswork. Test before you treat,” Abayomi stated.

Not All Fevers Are Malaria, Lagos Health Commissioner Warns is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The stage is set for the Premier League match of the weekend as Liverpool hosts Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

The kick-off for the Premier League match is at 12.30 pm, Nigerian time.

Both teams head to the game after losing their last matches in the Premier League.

Liverpool lost 3-2 against Manchester United, while Chelsea lost 3-1 against Nottingham Forest.

The Reds currently sit in fourth position on the Premier League table with 58 points from 35 games, while the Blues occupy the 9th position with 48 points from 35 games

However, if Chelsea loses to Liverpool, they risk dropping to 12th place on the Premier League table, effectively killing their hopes of qualifying for the top-five Champions League spots.

Conversely, a win for Liverpool would secure their spot in the Champions League, allowing them to consolidate a top-four finish as they edge toward the end of the season.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot will welcome back Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in his squad as both players are in contention to play.

Liverpool’s third goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman, is expected to play as Alison Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili are both injured.

Mohamad Salah remains out as well. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Wataru Endo are also out due to various long-term injuries.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will be without Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho as both players are still dealing with knocks.

Jamie Gittens and Estêvão are both dealing with longer-term injuries.

EPL: Liverpool aim to end Chelsea’s Champions League hope in epic clash

Manchester United icon, Nicky Butt has told Mikel Arteta to exclude Arsenal striker, Viktor Gyokeres from the lineup for the Champions League final against PSG.

The Gunners have reached the Champions League final for only the second time in their history and the first time in two decades, having defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

PSG are considered strong favorites to defend their title as European champions after overcoming Bayern Munich 6-5 over two legs in the other semi-final. Butt expresses skepticism about Arteta’s squad being able to overcome Luis Enrique’s team.

In a conversation with Paddy Power via Goal, Butt pointed out the Premier League leaders’ deficiency in counter-attacking capabilities as the primary reason for their lack of prospects against PSG.

He stated, “I don’t see anyone defeating PSG. Arsenal lacks any counter-attacking threat; they do not possess anyone who can do that with speed.”

Butt said that the Ligue 1 giants have a 70 percent probability of winning the trophy in Budapest. 

He acknowledged that Arsenal must adopt a defensive posture and play conservatively to have a chance on the counter. Nevertheless, Butt emphasized that Gyokeres should be substituted for Leandro Trossard for this strategy to be effective.

He added, “I would consider PSG to be significant favorites, 70-30. When they find their rhythm, no one can stop them. I can envision Arsenal’s game plan – to sit back, play tightly, and defend well. 

“However, they will need to utilize Leandro Trossard because he is the only player with pace. If they opt for Viktor Gyokeres, he lacks the ability to counter-attack, which will lead to difficulties.”

Gyokeres has been performing exceptionally well lately. He netted a goal in the first leg against Atletico Madrid and scored twice against Fulham last weekend.

The Sweden international will be eager to participate in the prestigious European final after transferring from Sporting in a £64 million deal last summer.

UCL final: Nicky Butt names player Arteta should drop, predicts winner of Arsenal vs PSG

Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Fani-Kayode, and Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Omokri, have said power can’t return to the North in 2027.

In a statement on Saturday, both ambassador-desigantes said the North enjoyed two full uninterrupted terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari, with southern support, hence the South South be allowed to continue till 2031.

They said the South’s stay in power is not incidental but deliberate.

The statement reads partly: “We further affirm that, having completed and made full and unfettered use of two terms of four years, under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, Northern Nigeria, with the support of patriots from Southern Nigeria, had its full, uninterrupted, and undisturbed tenure in this power rotation arrangement.

“We view it as unpatriotic and inimical to the unity, equilibrium, and progress of Nigeria for anyone to even conceive of power returning to Northern Nigeria after only one term of four years, during which it was domiciled in Southern Nigeria.

“Not just in Southern Nigeria, but in the specific hands of the man who was the chief architect for the return of power to the North in 2015.”

Backing the second term of Tinubu, they said: “In view of recent political events, it has become necessary and expedient for us, Ambassadors Designate Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Bemigho Reno Omokri, to state categorically that we believe it is in the best interest of the stability, unity, and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in keeping with the Gentleman’s Agreement, which ushered in our Fourth Republic in 1999, after sixteen years of turbulence and political instability, for there to be a balanced and orderly rotation of power in Nigeria, between the North and the South.”

Tinubu: Fani-Kayode, Omokri reject power return to North in 2027

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met with United States Vice President J.D. Vance and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio in Washington.

The meeting was held at the residence of Vance.

According to a statement by Secure Nigeria, a social media platform focused on security issues, the discussions centered on strengthening cooperation between both countries in the fight against terrorism in West Africa, including threats by Boko Haram and ISIS amid ongoing attacks.

“This week, Nigeria’s National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu (@NuhuRibadu), met with Vice President J.D. Vance (@JDVance) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (@SecRubio), reinforcing a decisive U.S.-Nigeria partnership to confront terrorism in West Africa.

“@officiaLABAT is grateful for @realDonaldTrump’s partnership and continued U.S. training and intelligence support as Nigerian forces intensify operations to dismantle terrorist networks, protect Nigerian Christians, and defend all vulnerable communities.

“Africa’s largest democracy isn’t wavering. Nigeria stands as a frontline U.S. partner against ISIS, Boko Haram, and rising terror threats across the Sahel.

“This fight is winnable and together the U.S. and Nigeria intend to finish it,” it reads.

NSA Ribadu meets United States VP Vance, Rubio in Washington

Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Friday received the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in Abuja, where both men discussed the state of the nation and the outlook for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The meeting, according to a statement issued by Mohammed Hayatu-Deen Media Office on Saturday, reflected the longstanding relationship between the two men, who previously worked together during Jonathan’s administration.

Hayatu-Deen had served as a member of the National Council on Privatization and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) when Jonathan was Vice President. He also later served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s tenure as Acting President and subsequently as President.

The statement noted that Hayatu-Deen recently obtained his ADC presidential nomination form from the party’s national secretariat and formally informed Jonathan of his decision to seek the presidency in 2027.

During the visit, Hayatu-Deen praised Jonathan’s contributions to democratic governance and electoral integrity across Africa, describing the former president as a respected statesman on the continent.

Jonathan, in response, warmly welcomed the ADC aspirant and wished him success in his political journey.

Hayatu-Deen’s media office described the economist and banker as a seasoned public and private sector professional whose four-decade career has contributed to job creation and institutional reforms across the country.

The statement added that Hayatu-Deen intends to leverage his experience to address insecurity, reduce the rising cost of living and create employment opportunities for Nigerians if elected president.

Jonathan receives ADC presidential aspirant, Hayatu-Deen

African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria will embark on a training tour in the United Kingdom later this month, DAILY POST reports.

The training tour will serve as part of the Super Falcons preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The 10-time African champions will engage in one friendly during the camping exercise which will hold from May 23 to 28, according to Savid News.

Head coach Justine Madugu will use the opportunity to assess new players, with majority of the key stars expected to miss out due to club commitments.

The Super Falcons were due to face Cape Verde in double header friendlies at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne last month.

The fixtures were, however, called off after Cape Verde announced they would not honour them.

Madugu’s side are expected to engage in friendlies during the next FIFA international window scheduled for June 7 to 14.

WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons to embark on UK tour