The governor said the rescue of the abducted children and teachers remained the priority of all levels….
The post Oyo abduction: Makinde meets relations of victims, says FG, state working hard to free kidnapped kids, teachers appeared first on Tribune Online.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of the Godwin Obla Foundation, Godwin Obla, has attributed the failure of the Idoma people to produce a governor in Benue State since its creation in 1976 to a combination of demographic disadvantage and persistent political divisions among the Idoma elite.
Obla stated this on Saturday while delivering a centenary lecture titled, “The Political Choices of the Idoma People Since 1950: Context, Consequences, and the Path Forward,” during the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration held in Otukpo, Benue State.
According to him, despite being the second-largest ethnic group in Benue State, the Idoma have remained excluded from occupying the state’s highest political office for nearly five decades.
“Since the creation of Benue State in 1976, no Idoma person has ever been elected Governor. Fifty years of statehood, and the second-largest ethnic group in the state has never occupied Government House in Makurdi,” he said.
Obla explained that the political structure of Benue State places the Idoma and Igede people at a numerical disadvantage, noting that Zones A and B, which are predominantly Tiv, control 14 local government areas, while Zone C, made up largely of Idoma and Igede communities, has only nine.
“The arithmetic is straightforward and merciless,” he stated, adding that under a majoritarian voting system, the Tiv majority has consistently retained control of the governorship.
He, however, argued that demographic realities alone do not explain the situation.
According to him, internal fragmentation among Idoma political leaders has repeatedly weakened the chances of the ethnic group producing a governor.
“Time and again, when the opportunity for an Idoma governorship has appeared on the horizon, the elite have fractured, splitting along personal rivalries, generational fault lines and competing ambitions,” he said.
He lamented that instead of rallying around a consensus candidate, multiple aspirants often emerged, dividing the Idoma voting strength and weakening their bargaining power.
Obla further noted that the inability of the Idoma political class to maintain unity has been a recurring pattern dating back to the early years of political organisation in Idomaland.
The senior lawyer also criticised what he described as the failure of successive Idoma political elites to convert national political influence into sustainable local development.
While acknowledging that several Idoma sons had occupied top national positions, including Senate President, federal ministers, military governors and diplomats, he argued that many communities in Idomaland still suffer from poor infrastructure, insecurity and underdevelopment.
“The truth that we must confront is this: national political prominence, however impressive, is not a substitute for local development,” he said.
Obla called for the establishment of a permanent, non-partisan Idoma Political Consultative Forum to help build consensus before elections and prevent the divisions that have undermined the community’s political aspirations.
He also urged the Idoma people to invest more in voter education, grassroots mobilisation and cross-ethnic political alliances capable of attracting support beyond Zone C.
According to him, an Idoma governor can only emerge through strategic coalition-building and a development agenda that appeals to all parts of Benue State.
The legal practitioner described the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration as an opportunity for self-reflection and political renewal, urging the younger generation to take a more active role in shaping the future of the ethnic nationality.
He maintained that the next phase of Idoma political history should be defined by unity, strategic planning and collective action rather than internal rivalry and missed opportunities.
Why Idoma has never produced Benue governor since 1976 — Obla
Prominent chieftains and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have presented Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the gubernatorial candidate of the party to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
DAILY POST reports that the APC chieftains presented Alli to Tinubu on Saturday evening.
Our correspondent reports that Alli currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
It was learnt that the gubernatorial primary election of the party was held a few days ago.
Our correspondent gathered that the APC chieftains presented Alli as the party’s candidate to Tinubu on Saturday.
The APC delegation from Oyo State was led by the former Deputy Governor of the state, who also doubles as the APC Chairman in the state, Chief Moses Adeyemo.
Adeyemo was accompanied by another former Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, and a former Senator representing Oyo Central, Senator Ayoade Adeseun.
Others included Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, APC National Deputy Auditor, Mr. Gbenga Olayemi, and Mr. Soji Adedeji.
During the meeting, the APC chieftains introduced Alli as the party’s gubernatorial candidate to Tinubu.
The APC chieftains also pledged their support for both Tinubu and Alli in 2027.
The 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army under the 81 Division on Friday witnessed a change of command as Brigadier General Friday Onu assumed office as the new commander.
Brigadier General Onu, the 14th commander of the Brigade, took over from Brigadier General Godwin Nwamba.
Brigadier General Nwamba has been redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, where he will serve as the Acting Deputy Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Psychological Operations).
Speaking at the handing-over and taking-over ceremony held at the Brigade Headquarters, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, Ogun State, the outgoing commander expressed gratitude to officers and soldiers for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout his tenure.
He urged them to extend the same level of cooperation and support to the incoming commander, emphasizing that their knowledge of the operational environment would be invaluable to him.
In his remarks, the incoming commander, Brigadier General Onu, commended his predecessor for the remarkable developmental strides achieved during his tenure and congratulated him on his new appointment.
General Onu urged the Brigade’s officers and men to remain committed to their duties and maintain the highest levels of professionalism.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing soldiers’ welfare and called for everyone’s collaboration, dedication, and support to advance the Brigade’s objectives.
The Chairman of the Riders and Owners of Motorcycles Organisation, ROMO, Ogun State Chapter, Rasaq Shotayo, popularly known as “Sholebo,” has refuted allegations circulating on social media that he issued a threat to the life of the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Iju Ward, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Mr. Aleshinloye Owolabi, during the recently concluded presidential primary election of the party.
Shotayo, in a statement on Saturday, described the claims as false, misleading, and a deliberate misrepresentation of his remarks at the ward meeting.
He insisted that the viral video in question had been manipulated to distort the true context of his intervention.
Shotayo explained that, as a major stakeholder and committed member of the APC, his comments at the gathering were made strictly out of concern for the declining state of party activities in the ward, which he attributed to what he described as the inactive role of the ward secretary.
He maintained that his intervention was aimed at drawing attention to what he called the backwardness affecting the ward’s political structure as a result of poor coordination and a lack of effective leadership.
The ROMO chairman asserted that he only echoed the concerns of APC members in Iju Ward, who expressed a loss of confidence in the ward secretary over his alleged absence from active party engagements and failure to participate in key party activities, including the recently concluded primaries in the ward.
“My intervention was purely out of concern for the progress of our party in Iju Ward. I did not threaten anyone’s life, directly or indirectly. The video being circulated does not reflect the full context of my remarks.
The statement reads: “Members of the ward have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the secretary’s absence from active party work and his failure to participate in key party activities, including the recently concluded primaries.
“I only echoed the concerns already raised by APC members in the ward, who have lost confidence in the secretary and were calling for accountability within the party structure.”
Shotayo denied ever issuing any threat, directly or indirectly, to Mr. Owolabi or any other individual, describing such insinuations as completely unfounded and politically motivated.
He reiterated that he remains a law-abiding, peaceful, and responsible citizen who has never engaged in or encouraged any form of violence, adding that his political engagements have always been guided by due process, civility, and respect for party structures.
“At no point did I engage in violence or issue any threat. My comments were political, constructive, and aimed at strengthening our party, not destroying it.
“I am not afraid of anyone, and I have nothing to hide. I am even willing to invite security agencies to thoroughly investigate this matter so the truth can be established,” the statement added.
He called on party members and the general public to disregard what he described as a calculated attempt to tarnish his image, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of the APC in Ogun State.
The Labour Party, led by Nenadi Usman, has formally presented Dr. Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
He emerged following a broad-based consensus among party members and stakeholders, which was affirmed in Abuja on May 30, 2026.
The LP said Okereke has built an impressive reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading voices on public policy, legislative governance, and institutional development.
Dr. Okereke is the President of ERGAF-AFRICA Legislative Governance Innovation and Policy Hub, a foremost policy and legislative research institution, and serves as a legislative consultant to key committees and ranking members of the National Assembly.
He is also a resident lecturer in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Abuja, where he contributes to the development of the next generation of public sector leaders and policy professionals.
Okereke holds a PhD in Legislative Governance Studies and master’s degrees in Public Administration and Legislative Studies.
His expertise in governance, public accountability, and national development has made him a respected analyst and commentator on major national and international media platforms
2027: Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party faction picks Chibuzo Okereke as presidential candidate
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Oyo State, Senator Sarafadeen Ali, has said he is determined to bring on board aggrieved aspirants who lost the race for the party’s ticket. He made the pledge on Saturday while speaking with journalists shortly after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos. Checks revealed that some […]
The post Oyo 2027: I’m giving priority to genuine reconciliation — Senator Ali appeared first on Tribune Online.
Paris Saint-Germain forward, Ousmane Dembele, is now the new favourite to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.
Dembele was instrumental for PSG in the Champions League final as he helped his team to beat Arsenal in Budapest.
The France international converted a penalty won by his teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the encounter.
Recall that PSG won on penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
Dembele also netted three goals against Bayern Munich during the semi-final stage as the Parisians defeated the Bundesliga giants 6-5 on aggregate.
DAILY POST reports that, based on recent performances across Europe’s top five leagues, Dembele is ranked ahead of a mix of established football superstars and rising talents.
Dembele’s teammate, Kvaratskhelia, is another top favourite for the Ballon d’Or, while Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has seen his chances drop after his team’s elimination from the Champions League a few weeks ago.
The top 7 contenders for 2026 Ballon d’Or:
1. Ousmane Dembele (PSG) – He is the current holder of the Ballon d’Or, having won it last year. The 29-year-old netted 20 goals and provided 12 assists. Won Ligue 1, Trophee des Champions, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
2. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – He scored 65 goals and registered seven assists for Bayern in all competitions. The England captain won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup with Vincent Kompany’s side.
3. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG) – He scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists for PSG this season. The Georgian won the Ligue 1, Trophee des Champions, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup. He also won a penalty for Luis Enrique’s side in the final
4. Vitinha (PSG) – He scored seven goals and provided 10 assists. The Portugal international was impressive for PSG in the final and won Ligue 1, Trophee des Champions, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup with the Parisians.
5. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – He scored 25 goals and 20 assists. The Spain international won La Liga and Supercopa de Espana.
6 – Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) – He scored 23 goals and provided 33 assists. The France international also won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup.
7. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – The France captain scored 48 goals and provided 10 assists for Real Madrid.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Top 7 players to win award after PSG beat Arsenal in UCL final
Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title on Saturday night, defeating Arsenal on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw following extra time.
The final began in perfect fashion for Arsenal, who stunned the French champions with an early breakthrough.
Kai Havertz fired the Gunners ahead in the sixth minute, finishing off a flowing move to send the Arsenal supporters into celebration and hand Mikel Arteta’s side an ideal start.
Arsenal then adopted a disciplined defensive approach, frustrating PSG for much of the contest as they sought to protect their slender advantage.
The Premier League side appeared on course for a historic triumph, but their resistance was finally broken in the 65th minute.
PSG were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the area, and Ousmane Dembele calmly stepped up to beat David Raya from the spot, restoring parity and setting up a tense finale.
Both sides searched for a winner during the remainder of normal time and throughout extra time.
Chances came and went at both ends, but neither team could find the decisive goal, forcing the final into a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.
The shootout remained finely balanced until Arsenal suffered a major setback when Eberechi Eze missed the club’s third penalty.
Hope returned moments later when goalkeeper David Raya produced a crucial save to deny Nuno Mendes, keeping Arsenal firmly in contention.
However, the decisive moment arrived when Arsenal defender Gabriel stepped forward and failed to convert his penalty. His miss handed PSG the advantage they needed, and the French giants made no mistake with their remaining efforts to secure victory.
The triumph delivered PSG’s second consecutive UEFA Champions League title, further cementing their status among Europe’s elite clubs.
For Arsenal, meanwhile, the painful wait for a first Champions League crown and a major European trophy continues after another heartbreaking night on the continent’s biggest stage.
While PSG celebrated another historic achievement, Arsenal’s players sank to the turf in despair, knowing they had come agonisingly close to ending their long European drought before falling at the final hurdle.
PSG Edge Arsenal On Penalties To Retain Champions League Crown is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure extension for the chief executive officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, has attracted mixed reactions.
Recall that President Tinubu recently extended the tenure of Anunobi for a final five-year term.
The move has stirred mixed reactions among stakeholders.
While some stakeholders lauded President Tinubu for Anunobi’s tenure extension, others kicked against the move.
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Shehu Mustapha, the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Young Nigerian Librarians, said that the development would ensure “continuity in the implementation of ongoing reforms, the completion of the National Library Headquarters project, and the realization of the institution’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.”
Mustapha said Prof. Anunobi has distinguished herself as a reformer and astute administrator, adding that since her first appointment in 2021, she has led several institutional reforms, including “the development and operationalization of the National Repository of Nigeria, the Newspaper and Magazine Locator, the Index and Abstract to Nigerian Newspapers, and the National Virtual Library of Nigeria.”
He called for focused leadership in the country’s literary and, indeed, education sectors.
Reactions trail Tinubu’s tenure extension for Anunobi as NLN CEO