Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (South-South), under the now de-recognized Julius Abure faction, Favour Reuben, has cautioned that ongoing legal disputes within the party are hindering its progress and contributing to the defection of members holding elective positions.

Reuben said the protracted crisis had weakened the party’s internal cohesion, stressing the urgent need for reconciliation among stakeholders.

Reacting to last week’s Court of Appeal judgement in favour of Esther Nenadi Usman, he noted that efforts were underway to stabilise the party and restore order to its leadership structure.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Reuben expressed confidence that the disagreements within the party were not insurmountable, emphasizing that internal conflicts were common in political organizations and could be resolved through dialogue.

“For now, based on the judgement, we are trying to reconcile, though Abure said he will go to the Supreme Court.

“But I think the party is one. What we are after is that the party should be one.

“And in every political party, those that live the party will want the party to go forward, because the litigation has been drawing us backwards.

“You could see how many House of Reps members, Senators and Assembly we have lost because of this litigation.

“And I think that in our own opinion, we better come together as a political party, so that we can face whatever that is going on.

“It’s not a matter of faction. Remember we were the first set of people that dragged Abure. When Appeal Court gave him judgement, we all reconciled with him.

“And now that Appeal Court has also given judgement to Nenadi Usman, I think we’re trying to see how the party can be one, so that we can work together,” he said.

He, however, warned that failure to resolve the crisis before timelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, could have serious consequences for the party’s participation in future elections.

According to him, prolonged uncertainty may compel members to seek alternative political platforms, as remaining in a party unable to conduct primaries or present candidates would be politically damaging.

Despite the challenges, Reuben maintained that there is still room for optimism, expressing hope that the party will overcome its internal disputes and reposition itself ahead of upcoming electoral contests.

“There is no amount of fight in political party that cannot be settled. And I’m very optimistic that we are going to settle this and the party will move forward.

“If the party refuse to move forward, people will decide to go alternatively because, Labour Party is not the only political party in Nigeria.

“Politicians will always move. You know the way defection is moving, crossing from this part to this party.

“If people discover that the party is not ready for the settlement or to move forward, people will start moving and some of us too will leave the party, no matter how the party has been our passion.

“Certainly if issues are not resolved. We will take an alternative route and move out, because you cannot be in a party where there will be no election, nobody will present candidates. That will be suicidal,” he added.

LP chieftain, Reuben warns of mass defection over persistent crisis

With the 2027 general elections fast approaching, Nigerians have expressed concern over the rising wave of attacks in many parts of the country and in Kaduna state, blaming security agencies and the Nigerian government for what they described as “total negligence of their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property of the people.”

In most parts of the north, incessant attacks by terrorists have continued, resulting in the loss of lives, abduction of many, and the displacement of thousands. This has raised serious concerns that many may be unable to exercise their franchise by electing candidates of their choice in the 2027 elections.

Govt not worried about insecurity – Asake

Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 Kaduna State election, Mr. Jonathan Asake, in an exclusive chat with DAILY POST said that the present government cares little about the welfare of the people. He said it’s only preoccupied with strategizing on how to rig the elections and retain power.

According to him, “This present government is not thinking about how insecurity affects the people. If they were, they would be more serious in tackling insecurity in the state and the country as a whole. Looking back at areas that had insecurity, election results were returned from such areas, and nobody questioned them.

“That is the kind of society we are living in today. So, will it surprise you that no government official at any level is worried about insecurity? The people can continue to be killed, abducted, or displaced from their communities; it does not bother them because they have other ways of returning themselves to power. They are not warming up for elections; they are warming up to rig elections and return themselves to power.”

He lamented that elected representatives are not speaking up about the problems facing the people, adding that the situation in Kaduna State is so pathetic that ordinary citizens are finding life increasingly difficult.

According to him, “What do you say when we are moving towards a one-party system and other political parties are being frustrated? There is no beauty in democracy when people are forced into a particular political party. The beauty of democracy is to provide the people with options among different political parties and for elections to be free, fair, and credible, so that the people can make their choice.

“With the way we are moving towards a one-party system, I am sorry, our democracy is going to die out in a short time,” he opined.

They are being rewarded for their silence – Mark Jacob

A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Kaduna State, Mark Jacob, told

DAILY POST that Nigerian government cares little about the people.

He said, “We have representatives in the State House of Assembly and the National Assembly from the communities where these attacks are taking place daily. Their primary duty is to speak out on these issues, but they are not. Strangely, they are being rewarded with 4+4. I don’t understand how representatives who fail to represent their people and speak out for them can still be rewarded. I find it very difficult to understand.

“Those in political office today are not expecting any election. I don’t think they want to conduct any election. If they did, this is the year they should be up and doing. This is the year they are supposed to be at their best in ensuring peace in the state, particularly by providing security for all citizens, so that people will be free and available to participate in the elections.

“With the way attacks are ongoing and people are being killed, wounded, and displaced, it means nobody is preparing for any election.”

Jacob, a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that, given the current situation, what may happen next year may not be an election, but rather an appointment or endorsement, with those in power simply declaring themselves winners.

He argued that if the government was truly preparing for a credible election next year, it would ensure that the challenges of hunger, poverty, and insecurity facing the people were drastically reduced.

According to him, “The policy of this government is that nobody should talk about it. It is the body language of those holding political office. It is shocking that this should be the standard practice of the present government. The ambassadors of government are those holding political office, and if they have adopted a policy of silence, then we are not preparing for elections.

“Those in government know what to do, and security agencies know what to do. A situation where security personnel wait for an attack to occur before going after the attackers, or where security agencies give false information about rescuing abducted persons, is shameful. It is shameful that we are playing politics with the lives of Nigerians. How on earth can security agents claim they have rescued abducted persons, only for relatives of the victims to deny such claims?”

Govt must act now – Usman

A security expert, Mr. Salisu Usman, stated that many leaders care little about the welfare of the people. He told DAILY POST that the only thing politicians care about is doing everything possible to return to power in 2027, regardless of what ordinary citizens are going through.

According to him, “It shows the level of ignorance, especially in the northern part of the country, where people continue hailing those they believe are close to them, irrespective of what they stand to gain as a community. Politicians have understood their people, and as a result, those in power do not take anything seriously, thereby doing things as it pleases them.”

He stressed that the government must act urgently to ensure that ordinary citizens are given the opportunity to exercise their franchise and elect candidates of their choice.

He observed that government must be more responsive to the needs of the citizens by providing adequate security, enabling people to go about their normal activities and perform their civic duties.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, government has continued to insist that all security challenges are being tackled, and that the security of Nigerians is their top priority.

Act now before it’s too late – Asake, Mark, others warn govt over insecurity

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, have denied claims that the institution embarrassed former presidential candidate Peter Obi over a proposed lecture.

This clarification was made known in a press statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju on Sunday.

The statement explained that a group within the student body had invited Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, to deliver a lecture on the university premises.

According to Olarewaju, “the university authorities were not duly informed about the invitation or the status of the guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled programme.”

He stated, “The university authorities were not duly informed of the status and calibre of the invited guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled programme.”

Olarewaju emphasised that events involving high-profile personalities require adequate prior notice to enable proper planning and coordination.

He added that “such notice allows the institution to make logistical and security arrangements, including liaison with the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services, DSS.”

Olarewaju said, “This is necessary in order to ensure the safety of the guest, members of the university community and the general public.”

The statement noted that due to the short notice, “the university could not complete the required arrangements and therefore did not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event.”

He stressed that the decision was taken purely in the interest of safety, orderliness and adherence to established protocols and added that it was not a reflection of disregard for Obi, whom the university holds in high esteem.

The statement also stated that the Vice Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to hosting distinguished personalities, provided due process is followed.

The university administrator urged students, staff and the general public to comply with established procedures when planning events within the institution.

OAU denies embarrassing Peter Obi, justifies aborted lecture

Illegal structures, comprising movable containers, shanties, tables and projections have been demolished by the Abia State government at Ubakala junction, Umuahia South local government area of the State.

The exercise took place about two weeks after the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, demolished unapproved shops and shanties opposite ShopRite area of the State’s capital.

The demolition exercise was monitored by a combined team of security personnel.

When DAILY POST correspondent arrived at the site of the demolished structures, the former occupants were seen salvaging what remained of their property, while some of them appealed for financial assistance from concerned agencies and individuals.

Meanwhile, Abia State government has commenced the fencing and beautification of the areas of the town that were demolished two weeks ago apposite the ShopRite area.

 

Abia govt demolishes more illegal structures in Umuahia

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has explained that it withheld approval for a lecture by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi because organisers gave it barely a day’s notice — leaving the institution unable to put the necessary security and logistics in place.

The clarification, issued Sunday by the university’s Public Relations Officer Abiodun Olarewaju, came after Obi raised alarm over what he described as a worrying pattern of cancelled university engagements across the country.

Obi had disclosed via X on Saturday that he was scheduled to deliver a keynote lecture at the institution by 9 am before heading to Ibadan for an opposition parties’ summit, only to be told the event had been called off.

The former Anambra State governor said the cancellation was far from isolated, noting that similar incidents had occurred more than ten times.

“This is no longer incidental; it points to a troubling pattern that should concern all well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.

OAU’s management, however, offered a different account. According to the institution, organisers failed to furnish it with adequate details about the event and its invited guest until Friday — a single day before the programme was to hold.

The university said the late submission made it impossible to complete the arrangements that hosting a figure of Obi’s profile demands, including coordination with the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“It is important to note that events involving high-profile personalities of such standing require adequate prior notification to the university authorities because it will enable the institution to make necessary logistical and security arrangements, including proper liaison with relevant security agencies such as the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), in order to ensure the safety of the guests, members of the university community and the general public,” the statement said.

Against that backdrop, the university said it had no choice but to decline the request. “Consequently, given the short notice and the attendant inability to complete these critical arrangements, the university authorities could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event as requested by the organisers,” management added.

The institution was emphatic that its decision was rooted in protocol and the safety of all parties involved, and should not be read as any slight against Obi’s person or standing.

There are strong indications that domestic airlines in Nigeria may halt operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, over what operators described as unbearable and unsustainable aviation fuel prices, raising fresh fears of widespread travel disruption across the country.

Industry insiders say the airlines, having engaged both the Federal Government and oil marketers without a breakthrough, may be left with no option but to ground flights by Thursday.

The looming shutdown comes after several complaints by operators, who have watched the price of Jet A1 surge by over 300 per cent compared to February levels, pushing operating costs to the brink.

Passengers, many of whom rely on domestic flights for business and urgent travel, now face uncertainty.

In a bid to avert the crisis, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, convened a meeting with airline operators and fuel marketers in Abuja last week. However, findings indicate that the tripartite talks ended in a deadlock, with operators unwilling to shift their stance unless decisive action is taken.

At the end of the two-day meeting, the minister announced a 30 per cent reduction in aviation-related taxes as part of efforts to ease the burden on airlines. While the gesture was acknowledged, operators insist it falls short of addressing the root problem.

Speaking on the first day of the meeting, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Allen Onyema, welcomed the government’s intervention but maintained that fuel marketers must account for the sharp rise in prices.

Onyema said, “This government has helped the industry more than anyone since 1999, and the President is even willing to waive 30 per cent of the debts airlines are owing.

“But the truth is that the marketers must be brought to book to explain how they came about the 300 per cent increase when even Dangote is surprised because what he is seǰlling to us is still the cheapest.”

At the end of the second day, Onyema issued a stark warning, giving a seven-day ultimatum from midnight last Thursday for action to be taken. “Since the advent of the US-Iran war, there has been a spike in aviation fuel in Nigeria, which we, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, feel is not proportionate to the hike internationally.

“We expect that in the next 48 hours something drastic should be done because no airline will fly in this country in the next seven days if nothing is done, not because they don’t want to fly, but because fuel may not be available to us at sustainable pricing.”

Providing further insight into the financial strain, Onyema disclosed that fuel prices have skyrocketed from about N900 per litre before the crisis to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some marketers selling as high as N3,500.

“Before the crisis, we were buying fuel at about N900 per litre. Now it has risen to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some selling as high as N3,300 to N3,500,” he said.

According to him, airlines are now operating primarily to service fuel costs. “All the airlines in Nigeria have been flying to pay fuel marketers only, and you don’t want to compromise safety,” he added.

Despite speculations about indebtedness, senior airline officials who spoke in confidence on Sunday, due to the sensitive nature of the matter, insisted that operators are up to date with payments to key aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

It was further gathered that in a document, the Airline Operators of Nigeria have formally requested additional relief measures from the government. In the letter dated April 21 and signed by AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina, the group called for the immediate suspension of aviation taxes, fees, and charges for at least six months.

The operators argued that the unprecedented rise in fuel costs threatens not only airline operations but also jobs and the stability of the aviation sector. Among other demands, the AON proposed the introduction of a non-taxable fuel surcharge, a standard practice in international aviation to help airlines manage rising costs.

They also urged the government to direct oil marketers to issue credit notes to airlines affected by what they described as excessive and arbitrary price hikes. In addition, the group called for the establishment of an industry tax reform committee to review existing charges, assess their relevance, and align them with global standards.

As the deadline approaches, uncertainty hangs over Nigeria’s aviation sector. Another airline executive, who spoke anonymously on Sunday because he was not authorised to comment publicly, warned that the shutdown threat remains real. “If nothing is done, no airline will be flying by Thursday,” he said.

For the third time in April, a Nigerian, Ademola Oke, has died after being found unresponsive at his workplace in the United Kingdom.

This is just as the family appealed for public support following his sudden death.

It was learnt on Sunday from a support appeal published by a close family friend, Adejonwo Odutola, on the popular fundraising platform, GoFundMe, that the incident occurred on April 18.

Odutola explained that Ademola had left home that morning in good health and remained in contact with his wife throughout the day, with no indication of any illness.

He said the deceased was later found unresponsive at his workplace by a colleague who arrived for a night shift.

Odutola wrote, “On 18th April, 2026, Ademola, 37 years old, left home in the morning hale and hearty, with no signs of illness. He was in contact with his wife during the day, and they even shared a WhatsApp message at 2:08 pm—everything seemed normal.

“Tragically and without warning, Ademola passed away suddenly while at work. Later in the day, a colleague arriving for their shift at night in the service user’s house found him seated on a sofa, unresponsive.”

He added that emergency services were immediately contacted, but he was confirmed dead at the scene.

According to him, the sudden loss has left Ademola’s 31-year-old wife in shock and grief, now solely responsible for caring for their two young children, aged six and two.

Odutola described the deceased as a loving husband and devoted father, whose death has had a profound impact on his family and loved ones.

He noted that the fundraising effort was initiated to support funeral arrangements and provide financial assistance for the children as the family adjusts to life without him.

The appeal called on Nigerians in the UK and the wider public to support the bereaved family, stressing that every contribution, no matter how small, would be appreciated.

“This cause is deeply important to me because I have seen firsthand the love within this family and the profound impact this loss has had on them. No family should have to endure such heartbreak while also facing financial uncertainty.

“The funds raised will go towards funeral expenses and ongoing support for the children as the family begins to navigate life without their husband and father,” he added.

It also urged those unable to donate to share the appeal and keep the family in their thoughts during the difficult period.

At the time of filing this report, a sum of £4,509 had been raised out of the £8,000 target.

This is the third incident of a Nigerian based in the United Kingdom dying in April.

It was reported on April 20 that barely one week after a Nigerian mother of three died of cancer in the United Kingdom, another Nigerian father of three, identified simply as Herbert, was found dead in his apartment.

An X user identified as ‘The Stress Manager’ had disclosed that Herbert, who lived in Thornaby, died suddenly in his sleep, in what relatives described as a shocking and heartbreaking incident.

 

As the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited continues its search for technical partners to operate the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has once again insisted that the facilities will never work.

Obasanjo spoke during a television interview aired on Saturday night by Sony Irabor Live, which was monitored by our correspondent.

He said, “One of the lessons that I learnt is that PPP (public-private partnership) works. Look, one project that has not been destroyed by the government in Nigeria is the NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas), where the private sector has 51 per cent, and the Nigerian government has 49 per cent.

“See what we did with Nigerian railways. See what we did with the national shipping company. See what we are doing now, even with the NNPC. The NNPC has refineries, and I said to people that it will never work. And a man had the audacity to say, ‘Am I a chemical engineer?”

Obasanjo spoke about his failed efforts to woo Shell, a global energy firm, into running the refineries. “Look, when I was there, I called Shell. I said, ‘Look, please, I beg you, come and take 10 per cent equity and run the refinery for us.’ They said no. I said, ‘Okay, if you don’t want to take equity, don’t take equity. Come and run the refineries. They said no,” he stated.

The former president narrated how he invited a top official of Shell for a one-on-one conversation to know why his offers were turned down.

“So, I called him, and I said, ‘Tell me, be honest with me. Why don’t you want to handle this?’ He said first, they want to let me know that they make most of their profits on the upstream, not the downstream.

He said they run their downstream without making a loss, but they don’t make a lot of profit from it. It’s more of a service than a major profit-making. So that’s number one.

“Number two: he said our refineries are too small. This was when I was an elected President. He said our refineries are too small. One is 60,000 barrels, and another is 100,000 barrels. He said refineries at that time were in the range of 250,000 barrels to 300,000 barrels. Number three: he said our refineries are not well-maintained. We call quacks and amateurs to come and maintain our refineries. The refineries are not in good order. He said, ‘Number four, there’s too much corruption around our refineries, and they don’t want to be part of that,” Obansanjo explained.

He recalled that he counted the country lucky then when the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, told him of the willingness to offer $750m to take 51 per cent of two of the facilities.

“Until one day, Aliko (Dangote) came and offered $750m to take two of the refineries; that will be 51 per cent. I said, ‘Wow, God, you are really a God of miracles.’ I told Aliko to bring the money quickly. They brought the money, and they paid,” he said.

However, the Balogun Owu explained further that his successor, the late Umar Yar’adua, reversed the deal after he left office, claiming he was under too much pressure from the NNPC.

He mentioned that only the current NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, has said the truth about the state of the refineries so far.

“When I left office, NNPC went to my successor and convinced him. So I got up. I went to Umar. I said, ‘Look, Umar, maybe you don’t know; this is why we did what we did.’ He said, ‘Well, NNPC came to me.’ I said, ‘But you know that NNPC cannot run this thing. He said he knew. I asked, ‘Then why did you give in? He said because of pressure. And I said, ‘Look, when you sell these refineries, you will not get 200 million (dollars) for them, because you will sell them as scrap.’

“Only the present NNPC head has told the country the truth. But in the meantime, I was told that they have spent about $16bn, which is only $4bn short of what Aliko used to build Africa’s largest refinery,” Obasanjo said.

In November 2025, the NNPC announced a fresh target of June 2026 to finalise the selection of technical partners for the refineries.

Ojulari said that despite the rehabilitation and reopening of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries in 2024 before they were later reclosed, the facilities were operating “well below international standards”, making their products commercially uncompetitive, especially compared to the privately owned Dangote refinery.

Dangote said he built his refinery after the Yar’Adua administration reversed the sale of the NNPC refineries to him and his other associates. He is also of the opinion that the NNPC refineries may never work again.

The NNPC communications office has yet to respond to messages seeking reactions to the former president’s claims.

Primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have suspended their strike following fresh financial commitments and assurances by the FCT Administration.

The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT Wing, held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the FCT Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The strike, which commenced on April 20, 2026, was due to unresolved issues, including failure to release and implement the 2025 ministerial committee report on primary school teachers’ outstanding entitlements, as well as concerns over promotion policies affecting classroom teachers.

In a communiqué jointly signed by its FCT chairman, Comrade Abdullahi M. Shafa, State Secretary, Comrade Margaret F. Jethro, and public secretary, Comrade Ibukun Adekeye, the union acknowledged the intervention of the FCT minister in addressing the concerns raised.

The N5bn monthly funding commitment was approved by the FCT minister, Nyesome Wike, to address teachers’ welfare.

It includes N2bn from the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and an additional N3bn sourced from the 10 per cent IGR allocation to area councils.

The funds are expected to facilitate the immediate implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and settle other outstanding entitlements owed to primary school teachers.

On the issue of promotion, particularly the use of “vacancy” as a precondition for advancing classroom teachers and the review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission, the minister assured the union of further engagement.

According to the communiqué, the minister stated that the matter was not previously brought to attention but pledged to meet with the chairman of the Civil Service Commission to resolve the issue and provide feedback.

Following deliberations, the union announced the immediate suspension of the strike and directed all teachers in primary and secondary schools across the FCT to resume duties from Monday, April 27, 2026.

The union, however, warned that it would reconsider its position if the FCT Administration fails to implement the agreements reached.

It also stressed that no teacher or staff member should face victimisation or punitive action for participating in the strike.

SWEC commended members for their resilience and unity throughout the industrial action, describing their conduct as steadfast.

The union further reaffirmed its commitment to advocating improved working conditions while urging teachers to remain dedicated to their responsibilities in order to enhance the quality of education in the FCT.

FCT Teachers Suspend Strike After N5bn Deal is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr George Agbakahi has attributed the persistence of insecurity in Nigeria to what he described as politically sponsored terrorism.

Agbakahi stated that the situation would be better addressed if the Federal Government identified and prosecuted those financing terrorist activities across the country.

He made the remarks during a programme on Arise Television, ‘Prime Time’, monitored in Abuja, weekend.

According to him, insecurity in Nigeria predates the current administration, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken significant steps to confront the challenge.

“You see, the issue of insecurity in Nigeria didn’t emanate from the current administration. Truly, the President is dealing with insecurity head-on,” Agbakahi said.

He maintained that insecurity has become deeply rooted in the country but argued that the present administration has made considerable investments in strengthening the military.

“The President has done a whole lot to work on insecurity issues. A lot of armaments and equipment have been provided to the Nigerian military, probably more than any other administration since 1999,” he added.

Agbakahi, who is also South East Leader, Tinubu Support Organization, TSO, referenced ongoing security challenges in parts of the North-East, particularly in Borno State and Yobe State, describing them as long-standing issues rather than new developments.

He suggested that some acts of violence may be politically motivated, while also commending the government’s efforts to collaborate with foreign partners to tackle insecurity.

On the broader national response, the APC chieftain stressed that security should not be politicised, urging Nigerians across party, ethnic, and religious lines to unite against the threat.

“Insecurity is not about APC, not about PDP or any other party. We urge all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, political and religious affiliations, to come together and work collectively,” he said.

Agbakahi further supported the Federal Government’s stance against negotiating with terrorists, describing it as a strategic decision to discourage further attacks.

“The President has said several times that he is not going to negotiate with terrorists, which to me is a step in the right direction because negotiating with them will mean they continue what they are doing,” he noted.

He emphasised the importance of improved intelligence gathering and sharing among security agencies, adding that cutting off financial support to terrorist groups remains critical.

“I believe so far the President has empowered the military. Another important thing is for government to find out those sponsoring them—that’s how they get their money. They don’t get their money fundamentally from external countries; they get it from Nigerians,” he said.

“It’s important that we identify and stop the sponsors. Once that line is cut off, it will go a long way in addressing the insecurity situation,” Agbakahi stressed.

The APC Chieftain also weighed in on the significance of the proposed opposition alliance especially the Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwanso collaboration in respect of the 2027 presidential election.

Agbakahi indicated that the Obi-Kwankwaso collaboration was dead on arrival considering that they are more or less regional leaders.

“The question remains who is going to be the presidential candidate and the vice? What will be the role and influence of Atiku (Abubakar) and Amaechi (Chibuike Rotimi) in the political configuration since both Atiku and Amaechi have signified interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.

“Tinubu overall still has a better chance and he is a more formidable candidate considering his track record of accomplishment and disorganized disposition of the opposition with no agenda and no policy,” he concluded.

Politically sponsored terrorism fueling insecurity in Nigeria – APC chieftain