•Adjourns case till October 27 The Court of Appeal on Friday stayed proceedings in a suit seeking the deregistration of five opposition political parties. The parties are Accord, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the […]
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Tobias Nnabuike Oriji, kinsman of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Oriji emerged through a consensus arrangement during the party’s governorship primary election held on Friday across the 171 wards in the state.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, the ADC governorship flagbearer, who hails from Oferekpe Agbaja community in Izzi Local Government Area, the same community as Governor Nwifuru, said his decision to contest the election was driven by the desire to reposition Ebonyi State and address what he described as lapses in governance.
The ADC candidate expressed concern over the state of electricity supply, unemployment and youth empowerment in the state, promising what he described as a comprehensive transformation agenda if elected in 2027.
According to him, his administration would prioritise youth empowerment, agricultural development, economic revitalisation and improved living standards for residents across the state.
“The youths are suffering. If elected governor of the state, I will empower the youths, strengthen agriculture and ensure that people begin to live comfortably,” he stated.
Oriji described himself as a university graduate, businessman and agriculturist with years of experience in private sector engagements, maintaining that he possesses the administrative and leadership capacity required to govern the state.
Speaking on his chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress and Governor Nwifuru in the 2027 governorship contest, the ADC candidate expressed confidence that the opposition party was prepared to take over power in the state.
“I have already defeated him politically. What remains is the swearing-in ceremony. By the grace of God, on May 29, 2027, we shall occupy the Government House. I assure you that ADC will take over Ebonyi State Government House and even Aso Rock,” he declared.
On the financial implications of the governorship race, Oriji insisted that he was adequately prepared for the electoral contest and would not have joined the race without the required resources and political structure.
“If I do not have the resources, I would not have ventured into the race. The nomination form was not free. I paid for it and I am fully prepared for the election,” he added.
Commenting on the performance of Governor Nwifuru’s administration despite their relationship as kinsman, Oriji noted that leadership styles differ from one administration to another, stressing that he would introduce fresh policies and programmes aimed at accelerating development across the state.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Electoral Matters and State Returning Officer of the ADC, Mr. Bassey Edogi Imoke, said the party adopted an electronic register system to ensure credibility and transparency in the conduct of the primary election.
According to him, the party recorded 12,889 registered delegates electronically, while 6,730 delegates were accredited across the 13 local government areas of the state, with 6,400 delegates voting during the exercise.
Imoke explained that the governorship primary was conducted at the ward level in line with directives from the national leadership of the party, adding that results were subsequently collated through local government and state collation centres.
“The figures are verifiable because they are on our electronic portal. We deliberately adopted a transparent process different from the irregular methods often associated with some political parties,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee in Ebonyi State, Dr. Paschal Okafor, described the governorship primary as peaceful, orderly and compliant with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“The primary election has been peaceful and orderly. Delegates conducted themselves responsibly, and there has been no rancour. So far, the process is fully in line with the Electoral Act,” Okafor stated.
He explained that the party adopted both consensus and direct primary modes depending on the number of aspirants contesting various positions.
“Where there is only one aspirant, consensus is adopted, while direct primaries are conducted in constituencies with multiple contestants,” he explained.
In the same vein, the Secretary of the Electoral Committee and Deputy National Auditor of the ADC, Princess Nneka Nnebu, commended party officials, delegates and stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, noting that no security challenge was recorded throughout the process.
She added that ward and local government executives of the party across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State actively participated in the exercise.
In her remarks, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the ADC, Dr. Mrs. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, disclosed that the party had successfully concluded primaries for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate positions across the 171 wards in the state.
Adibe-Nwafor further stated that security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), alongside journalists and other relevant agencies, monitored the governorship primary to ensure transparency and peaceful conduct.
The party chairman expressed confidence that the ADC, which she described as a growing coalition platform with increasing acceptance among the electorate, would record a strong outing in the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State and across the country.
2027: Nwifuru’s kinsman emerges ADC governorship candidate in Ebonyi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State has called for inclusivity and unity towards winning the 2027 general elections. This was contained in a release signed by the Media Directorate of the party in the council area, made available to newsmen on Friday. The party stated that all […]
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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Sector Command, disclosed that 185 overloaded vehicles were apprehended at the end of a special enforcement exercise code-named “Operation Guduma”, a strategic intervention patrol operation, across major corridors in the state. The exercise, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Odunsi Afolabi, […]
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Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Friday, intensified safety inspections at major ferry terminals across Lagos to
The post Lagos: LASWA seizes 120 damaged Life Jackets from boat operators appeared first on Tribune Online.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola, have commended the Chartered Institute of
The post CIS conference, catalyst for capital market–academia collaboration — Oyebanji, Afe Babalola appeared first on Tribune Online.
Drug abuse remains a major driver of youth violence in Niger State, DAILY POST findings have shown.
This report is based on visits and interviews conducted by our correspondent across Minna metropolis and surrounding communities, including Maitumbi, Tunga, Kpakungu, Angwan-Daji, Limawa, Western Bypass axis, M.I. Wushishi Estate, Chanchaga and areas around the College of Education.
What emerges is a deeply interconnected system where drug abuse, illegal mining and youth gang violence reinforce one another across Niger State communities.
“We Used To Play Together… Now We Run From Each Other” – Residents
In Angwan-Daji and Limawa, residents say childhood friendships have broken into violent rivalries.
“Some of these boys grew up together. They attended the same school. Now if they meet, it can end in bloodshed,” Fatima, a resident, said.
Communities such as Maitumbi, Kpakungu, Tunga, Angwan-Daji, and Limawa remain recurring flashpoints for clashes often triggered by reprisals, territorial disputes and personal disagreements.
Field findings indicate that some conflicts arise from personal issues, including disputes over relationships or girlfriends, which sometimes escalate into wider gang confrontations and violent reprisals.
Investigations show that youth violence in Niger State is driven by multiple interconnected factors.
These include unemployment and poverty, drug abuse, illegal mining opportunities, and group rivalries within and between communities.
DAILY POST also gathered that informal drug networks influence how some groups operate, including efforts to support members when arrested, which in some cases affects enforcement outcomes.
Drug Abuse: A Growing Catalyst
Across Niger State, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), through its State Commander Shehu Gwadabawa, warned that drug abuse remains a key driver of youth violence in communities.
He explained that despite sensitisation campaigns carried out in Minna including schools, churches, mosques among others, and across its seven outposts in various local government areas, the trend continues to increase.
Gwadabawa said drug use often begins with experimentation before progressing into addiction and aggression adding that 97% of drugs consumed were brought into the state from Ondo and Delta states
“Most parents are not aware their children are into drugs until it is too late. They need to watch over their children carefully and take necessary measures against this trend,” he said.
The state NDLEA Commander listed cannabis (marijuana), Colorado, and shisha as some of the drugs widely used, noting that in some cases substances are used to initiate or influence vulnerable young people, particularly girls, into deeper drug dependence.
Voices From The Streets
A 21-year-old drug user Mustapha (not real name) in Maitumbi said, “It started with small cannabis. Everybody was doing it. It made us feel strong and fearless.”
Another user added, “When you are high, everything looks disrespectful. That’s how fights start.”
An ex-user in rehabilitation said,
“At some point, you don’t even know why you are angry. Drugs control everything.”
Pausing, he added, “Some of my friends are dead. Some are in prison. Only a few got out.”
Drugs And Violence- A Linked Cycle
The NDLEA Commander noted that drug abuse and gang violence at mining sites are closely linked.
“They all go hand in hand. When these youths are high on drugs, it leads to gang fighting, even at mining sites in the state,” he said.
However, Gwadabawa said insecurity and logistical constraints also affect enforcement after arrests and during investigations, noting that securing convictions in court often becomes a major challenge.
“Most times we need to go after these dealers at night, but because of insecurity in Niger State, we cannot move freely,” he said.
Illegal Mining: A Security Flashpoint
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, led by Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, says illegal mining sites have become increasingly difficult to control.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Muti, said the corps is actively monitoring illegal mining activities across Minna and surrounding areas.
Identified hotspots include Western Bypass (M.I. Wushishi axis), Maitumbi corridor, Chanchaga Bridge, and areas near major institutions.
“Rival groups frequently engage in violent clashes at mining sites,” he stated.
Locals, Outsiders, Women And Children In Mining Spaces
Field investigations and residents’ accounts indicate that illegal mining sites around Minna are made up of both local youths and individuals believed to have migrated from other regions in search of economic opportunities.
Residents say this mix sometimes increases competition over mining spots and contributes to tensions at sites.
Women are also present within some informal mining environments, often involved in small-scale activities or supporting roles.
In some locations, residents further report that women are seen working in mining areas alongside their children, reflecting the informal and unregulated nature of the sector where entire households are drawn into the same economic space.
State Government Response
In a statement, the Niger State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Alhaji Mohammed Qasim Danjuma, said the ministry has intensified collaboration with key security agencies as part of renewed efforts to curb illegal mining and address its growing security implications across the state.
In a series of engagements earlier in the year, the Ministry held strategic meetings with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), calling for stronger inter-agency coordination to clamp down on illegal mining activities.
Officials of the Ministry stressed that illegal mining has moved beyond an economic concern to become a serious security challenge, often exploited by criminal elements operating within and around mining communities.
They noted that these activities not only undermine state revenue but also contribute to rising tensions and instability in affected areas.
The Department of State Services (DSS) similarly warned that a significant proportion of insecurity in Niger State is linked to illegal mining operations, while the NSCDC described enforcement as a continuous and demanding task requiring sustained joint operations and stronger field presence.
Civil Society Voice
A Program Officer of Advocates Without Borders, Minna-based CSO, Mairo Mohammed Allawa, says drug use is deeply present in mining-linked environments.
“Let me shock you, children as young as 12 years are there working under the influence. It is happening every day and everywhere in Minna,” she said.
Allawa added that violence often breaks out in such environments.
According to her, “Drug clashes usually break out and get people scared. Residents are afraid for their lives when violence breaks out”.
She noted that many youths are driven not only by unemployment but by the need for quick money to sustain drug use.
“People say it is unemployment, but it’s because they want to work. They end up where they can get quick money to finance drugs,” she said.
“We Arrest Them, But They Return” — Police
The Niger State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun, said raids on gang hotspots remain frequent.
“We carry out raids almost weekly. We recover weapons and drugs. But prosecution and reintegration remain major challenges,” he said.
He added that suspects often return to the same communities after bail. “It becomes a revolving door. Arrest today, back on the street tomorrow.”
Field findings also indicate that in some cases, pressure from families or influential individuals affects how gang-related cases are pursued.
Human Consequence: Lives Behind The Violence
A mother (name withheld) in Tunga-Goro, Chanchaga suburb of Minna, who lost her son said:
“I warned him. I begged him. But he said those boys were his family. One night, he didn’t come home again.”
A father in Maitumbi, on condition of anonymity, added: ” We buried him, but the boys who did it are still around.”
A resident in Limawa said fear now defines daily life, “When they start fighting, we just lock our doors and wait.”
Beyond arrests and raids, findings from Minna suggest that the crisis is sustained by overlapping pressures across enforcement and justice institutions.
The police, NDLEA, and NSCDC all face difficulties in translating arrests into convictions.
Officials and field sources point to the bailable nature of many offences, technical gaps in investigations where suspects are not firmly linked to exhibits, and procedural weaknesses that weaken cases in court.
Stakeholders also point to external pressures in some cases that may affect prosecution outcomes.
Together, these challenges create a critical break between arrest, prosecution, and conviction, weakening deterrence and allowing cycles of violence to persist.
The crisis in Minna reflects a deeper structural breakdown where drug abuse fuels aggression, illegal mining creates conflict economies, and weak enforcement allows cycles of violence to persist.
Until enforcement becomes fully coordinated and the justice system delivers consistent deterrence, the cycle remains intact: drugs, mining disputes, and thuggery continue to shape the streets of Minna.
Drug abuse, illegal mining fueling youth violence in Niger – Residents
Manchester United are advancing in talks to sign Atalanta midfielder, Ederson.
According to Fabrizio Romano, agreements are close between both parties, but the Brazilian is still waiting for Man United’s decision on whether they want to proceed and close the deal.
Ederson is said to be pushing for a move away from Atalanta, and the Red Devils are discussing a five-year deal amid a €45-50 million fee for the player.
Meanwhile, Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino did not play Ederson in his side’s Serie A clash against Fiorentina on Friday as he confirmed that there were concrete negotiations for the 26-year-old.
“Éderson didn’t play today because there are concrete negotiations with a top club,” Palladino said.
A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia has dismissed a case brought against the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West federal constituency of Abia State, Chris Nkwonta.
The case, which was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had prayed the Federal High Court to declare the seat of the lawmaker vacant for defecting from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress, APC.
The PDP had in the case alleged that Nkwonta’s action violated section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 constitution of the PDP, and prayed the court to order a conduct of bye-election in the Federal constituency within 90 days to fill the House of Representatives member’s seat.
But delivering his judgement, Justice S.B.Onu, who presided over the matter, dismissed it for lack of diligent prosecution and lack of interest in matter by the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, the member representing Ukwa East/ Ukwa West federal constituency, Chris Nkwonta who won the All Progressive Congress, APC primary election has received his certificate of return as the party’s candidate for 2027 House of Representatives election.
His certificate of return was presented to him at the APC office in Umuahia by the APC National Assembly primary election Returning Officer for Abia State, Erasmus Cishak.
Court dismisses suit seeking Abia lawmaker’s sack from National Assembly
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, and the Chairman of the party’s screening committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, has disclosed that the committee has exempted the party leader and current Governor of Abia State, Chief Alex Otti, from the screening exercise.
While addressing the media regarding the results of the aspirants’ screening, Senator Nenadi mentioned that the party had previously acquired nomination forms for the governor, and that the waiver also included his exemption from the screening process.
She said, “Is it possible for the leader of the House to come for screening, just like it’s done in other parties? In the party that he nurtures?
“Well, we had waived off screening for him. We gave him a waiver. We took the forms and gave them to him and told him we didn’t expect him to pay anything for it. We also had a ceremony where we presented the forms to him. Not just his form, but several other forms.”
According to a report by DAILY POST, Otti, who is campaigning for a second term as Governor of Abia State, received his Labour Party nomination forms at no cost from the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Nenadi Usman.
Senator Usman praised Governor Otti for being a prominent representative of the Labour Party and for diligently upholding the party’s principles of Equal Opportunities and Social Justice in the administration of Abia State.
She emphasized that this gesture was a recognition of the governor’s exemplary performance in office and served as encouragement for him to persist in providing quality governance to the citizens of the state.