Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The House of Representatives candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in Benue State, Innocent Omudu, on Thursday escaped death after heavily armed gunmen attacked his convoy.

The incident occurred while Omudu and his team were returning to Otukpo after the party’s primary election, where he emerged as the consensus candidate and ADC flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.

It was gathered that the gunmen opened fire on the convoy along the Onyagede-Ugboju road, damaging some vehicles and leaving several people injured.

Confirming the incident, Omudu said that although none of his team members was killed in the attack despite the heavy gunfire, some persons sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“We thank God that no life was lost during the attack. It was a frightening experience, but God saw us through,” he said.

He also commended officers of the Nigerian Police Force from the Idekpa Division in Ohimini for standing their ground and repelling the attackers during the incident.

Omudu further appreciated local vigilantes who joined security operatives in foiling what could have turned into a deadly attack.

He also thanked the leadership and members of the ADC in the constituency for the confidence reposed in him following his emergence as the party’s candidate.

Earlier, the leadership of the party in the constituency had unanimously adopted him as the party’s candidate after his only challenger stepped down from the race.

Otukpo/Ohimini: Gunmen attack ADC Reps candidate, Omudu, in Benue

The Ogun State Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, has approved the appointment of Mr. Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka as the new Head of the Public Service of Ogun State.

The appointment follows the statutory retirement of the immediate past Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya.

Until his appointment, Mr. Saka served as the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Cabinet and Special Services.

Mr. Saka joined the Ogun State Public Service as a Classroom Teacher on Grade Level 08 on May 15, 1993, and later transferred to the mainstream civil service as a Senior Administrative Officer on Grade Level 09 in 2006.

Born on February 15, 1968, Mr. Saka is regarded as a seasoned professional and administrator with extensive experience in policy coordination and implementation strategies.

He is a distinguished member of several professional bodies, including the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, and is also a Fellow of the Institute of Policy Management Development.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the appointment is in recognition of Mr. Saka’s hard work, dedication, commitment to duty, and outstanding service to the Ogun State Public Service.

Ogun appoints Olanrewaju as new Head of Service

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned till June 23, 2026, the continuation of trial in the alleged N8.7 billion money laundering case involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

The trio are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procurement, concealment, and laundering of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N8,713,923,759.49, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of trial but that the defence had filed a letter seeking adjournment.

He noted that although the prosecution was not opposing the application, it was important for the court to take cognisance of previous adjournments granted at the instance of the defence.

In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that while the absence of lead defence counsel was noted, it should not ordinarily stall proceedings, especially as other lawyers from the chambers were available to proceed with the case.

The judge, however, granted the adjournment in the interest of fair hearing, noting that the defence still had remaining adjournment allowances.

The case was thereafter adjourned till June 23, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Alleged N8.7bn fraud: Court adjourns Malami’s trial to June 23

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday announced she is leaving the United States government at the end of June.

Gabbard, in a letter to President Donald Trump, said her husband, Abraham Williams, was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer.

The former military officer explained she must step away from public service to fully support Abraham, as he faces major challenges in the coming months.

Gabbard, confirmed by the Senate in February 2025, expressed gratitude to the President for the trust placed in her to lead the National Intelligence Office.

Affirming the ODNI has recorded significant progress in advancing transparency and restoring integrity to the intelligence community, she said, “There is still important work to be done.”

In a Truth Social Post, Trump praised Gabbard for “an incredible job” and announced Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas will serve as acting DNI.

In March, Gabbard attended a Senate hearing on global threats where she laid out intelligence on countries developing ballistic missiles with the potential to reach the homeland.

Her exit from the cabinet follows the recent departure of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Tulsi Gabbard resigns as US director of national intelligence

Formerpresidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has said that his ideas to transform Nigeria are better than those of President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Sowore made this remark on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

When asked why his ideas are better, the human rights activist said, “Because all of the ideas of the people you’ve mentioned brought Nigeria into this circle of poverty, insecurity, pain, sorrow and tears.

“Do you want Nigerians to continue to get these same people elected or selected or whichever way they get themselves into office so that those of us who have idea that can liberate this country would not be listened to?”

DAILY POST recalls that Sowore contested for presidency under AAC in 2019 and 2023 respectively but did not win.

2027: I have better ideas than Tinubu, Obi, Atiku – Sowore

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has voiced concern over reports of alleged diversion of electoral materials during the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Benue State, warning that such incidents could threaten the credibility of the party’s internal electoral process.

Akume spoke on Friday shortly after landing at the Makurdi Airport ahead of the APC presidential primary scheduled for Saturday.

The former Benue State governor, who was welcomed by party supporters and loyalists, appealed to APC members in the state to remain united and prioritise the overall interest of the party above individual ambitions.

He stressed that unity within the party would be vital to its electoral success in the coming polls.

“The presidential primaries are taking place tomorrow (Saturday). We’re here to mobilise support for our dear president. He’s doing very well. I’ve told him repeatedly that he has no problem in Benue State,” Akume said.

“In this country, his performance, his commitment to patriotism, inclusive nature of government all speak in his favour.

In democracy, you must always have some opposing voices but the truth is that his work is remarkable. His work has been approved by most Nigerians and we are very sure come tomorrow our people are going to vote massively for Mr President,” he added.

Addressing complaints that trailed the earlier APC primaries in Benue, the SGF disclosed that he had been inundated with allegations relating to diversion of election materials and other irregularities.

“I was not here during the last election. I received so many reports about diversion of materials among other things, but I wasn’t here so I don’t want to comment so much about that,” he stated.

Akume urged aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to embrace reconciliation, insisting that disagreements arising from the primaries should not divide the APC in the state.

“What I want to say is this, I want the APC to be a united family. This was how we intended it to be. Those of us who were the founding fathers of the party don’t want factions in our party. We’re very sure that come 2027, Mr President will get back to the Villa,” he said.

He further called on relevant authorities and security agencies to probe the allegations surrounding the conduct of the primaries and ensure anyone found culpable faces appropriate sanctions.

The SGF also appealed to APC members and supporters in Benue to remain peaceful and actively participate in the presidential primary election.

SGF Akume speaks on alleged diversion of materials during Benue APC primaries

Speaker, Kwara state House of Assembly, Salihu Danladi, has been elected governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship primaries held in the 193 wards of the state on Friday. Announcing the results of the exercise at the banquet hall of the state government in Ilorin after the primary, the chairman of […]

The post Kwara guber: Speaker Danladi emerges APC candidate appeared first on Tribune Online.

Former Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume has denied withdrawing from the Imo North All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial primaries, saying that such rumours were the handiwork of fifth columnists and his distractors.

This is even as he emerged the APC Imo North Senatorial candidate at the just concluded primary election.

His sweeping victory in the APC senatorial primary for Imo North has been described as more than an internal party outcome, but a reaffirmation of political continuity, grassroots loyalty, and the durability of long-standing political structures in the region.

A statement from his media office reads: “Recent rumors suggesting that Araraume stepped down from the race have circulated widely, but available facts do not support these claims. He neither attended nor was invited to any meeting where aspirants purportedly withdrew.

“Such narratives appear to be the handiwork of political detractors attempting to sow confusion in the aftermath of a decisive contest. In the context of Imo North’s political landscape, these rumors say more about the anxieties of opponents than about Araraume’s intentions.

“If anything, the logic of political hierarchy would dictate the reverse, that others would step down for him, not the other way around. With his legislative experience, institutional memory, and long-standing influence, Araraume remains one of the most seasoned political figures in the zone. His victory, therefore, is seen not as an upset but as a restoration of political order.

“Beyond the local implications, Araraume’s return to the national stage carries broader significance. His legislative experience positions him as a potential stabilising force and a valuable ally in the National Assembly. His presence would complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the leadership of the National Assembly by adding depth, experience, and strategic insight to legislative deliberations. The political calculus is clear: experience still commands respect.

“For the people of Imo North, the outcome represents a choice rooted in familiarity and expectation. Araraume’s long engagement with the constituency has created a sense of predictability, and supporters are optimistic that he will leverage his networks, influence, and understanding of federal processes to attract development projects and strengthen representation in a region where infrastructural needs and economic aspirations remain pressing.

“Ultimately, Araraume’s victory is a reminder that political relevance is not easily erased. It is earned, maintained, and reaffirmed through consistent engagement with the people. Whether one views him as a stabilising force or a dominant political figure, his re-emergence signals a renewed chapter in Imo North’s political trajectory, one shaped by experience, structure, and the enduring power of grassroots politics.”

Araraume emerges APC senatorial candidate in lmo North

One of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Salihu Girei, who participated in the party’s primary conducted on Thursday, has rejected his alleged unexplained omission from the exercise.

In a complaint letter issued to newsmen on Friday evening, Girei said that, in line with the party’s guidelines, he honoured the invitation of the screening committee and participated in the screening exercise.

“However, to my utmost surprise, I discovered that the list released by the committee responsible for conducting the primary election omitted my name entirely without any explanation or stated reason,” he stated.

He explained that at no point after his screening was he notified of any disqualification, adverse finding, or decision affecting his eligibility and was also never invited or requested to appear before the Post-Screening Appeal Committee.

“Therefore, throughout the process, there was nothing whatsoever to indicate that I had been disqualified or was otherwise excluded from participation in the primary election,” he added.

He stressed that the omission raises serious concerns about fairness, transparency and equal opportunity in the conduct of the party’s internal democratic process and has effectively denied him the opportunity to participate in the exercise.

He added that in view of the foregoing, “I humbly appeal to the National Chairman, through the Adamawa State APC Appeal Committee, to kindly intervene by reviewing the circumstances surrounding my omission, restoring my name on a revised list of cleared aspirants, and ordering the conduct of a fresh primary election to enable me participate fully and fairly in the process.”

Salihu Girei’s complaint was made public a couple of hours after the APC declared Ahmed Tijani Galadima as the winner of the Adamawa APC governorship primary.

Adamawa APC aspirant Girei rejects omission from governorship primary list

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has said that without the divine grace and favour of God, the achievements of the Nigerian Navy over the past seventy years would not have been possible.

Abbas spoke on the occasion of a special Juma’at service in commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.

He said that God has sustained the Nigerian Navy through periods of peace and hardship, triumphs and challenges, while continually strengthening the Service to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities.

He said, “Without His divine grace and favour, the remarkable achievements of the Nigerian Navy over the past seventy years would not have been possible.”

He noted that the Nigerian Navy stands as a formidable maritime force and a critical pillar of Nigeria’s national security architecture, and also a source of support for countries in Africa.

“Our maritime environment remains central to the nation’s oil and gas resources, international trade, fisheries, and other strategic economic activities,” he said.

He added, “Accordingly, the significant reduction in maritime insecurity within the Gulf of Guinea and Nigeria’s territorial waters is a testament to the resilience, courage, and dedication of our personnel.”

He said the Nigerian Navy remains committed to supporting the Federal Government’s drive towards national development and enhanced security in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He commended all serving and retired officers and ratings, adding that their patriotism, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication have contributed to the growth and transformation of the Nigerian Navy into a highly respected Service.

“Their commitment, professionalism, and loyalty have built a legacy of honour and excellence for future generations to uphold.

“As we celebrate our achievements, we must also remember with deep reverence and gratitude our fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in the defence of our nation.

“These brave men and women sacrificed their lives in the line of duty so that Nigeria may remain safe, secure, and united.

“To my officers, ratings, and civilian staff, the 70th anniversary celebration should inspire us to strive harder towards greater professionalism, discipline, innovation, and selfless service.

“The responsibility of moving the Nigerian Navy to greater heights rests on all of us. We must therefore remain steadfast towards enhancing our operational capabilities in order to effectively secure Nigeria’s maritime environment and contribute meaningfully to national security and economic prosperity.”

He called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy, as well as all members of the Nigerian Armed Forces presently deployed across various theatres of operation within the country and beyond.

‘Without God, Nigerian Navy will achieve nothing’ – CNS Abbas