Author: Daily Post Nigeria

Dr Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has rejected speculations suggesting that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has already settled for a preferred aspirant ahead of the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye, Jandor maintained that the party’s candidate would emerge through a transparent and credible primary process.

The statement noted that reports claiming the emergence of an “anointed” aspirant were unfounded and inconsistent with the official stance of the Lagos APC leadership.

“We have observed ongoing speculation alleging that a preferred aspirant has been selected ahead of the 2027 governorship election. We wish to reiterate that no such decision has been taken,” the statement said.

It further emphasised that, in line with the position earlier communicated by the state party chairman, all interested aspirants would be given a level playing field to contest in a fair primary election.

Ogunleye added that Jandor remains committed to the democratic process within the party and has continued to engage stakeholders while consolidating his grassroots support base across the state.

He, however, noted that his principal is equally guided by party discipline and would abide by any collective decision of the party leadership, including the possible adoption of a consensus candidate.

“This position reflects both his readiness to contest and his willingness to respect the outcome of any decision reached by the party,” the spokesman stated.

Jandor also cautioned party members and supporters against interpreting individual campaigns or group endorsements as the official position of the party or its leadership.

He stressed that only pronouncements from the party and its recognised leadership should be regarded as authoritative.

2027: Jandor denies claims of ‘anointed’ APC candidate in Lagos

Arsenal failed to go 12 points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after they were defeated 2-1 by Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Gunners had opened a nine-point gap after a 2-0 win over Everton, with City held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham.

They were hoping to extend their advantage in the early kick-off.

But it was Bournemouth who took the lead in the first half, with Kroupi Jr tapping home at the near post.

Arsenal were level before the break thanks to a penalty converted expertly by Viktor Gyokeres.

The Cherries put a big dent in Arsenal’s title hopes with Alex Scott scoring a late winner at the Emirates.

City can close in if they win at Chelsea on Sunday.

EPL table: Arsenal fail to go 12 points clear after shock defeat to Bournemouth

Arsenal suffered a huge blow in the Premier League title race on Saturday, losing 2-1 at home to Bournemouth to give Manchester City renewed hope they can catch the long-time leaders.

The visitors took the lead at a nervy Emirates through Junior Kroupi but Mikel Arteta’s men levelled through a Viktor Gyokeres penalty later in the first half.

The Gunners made multiple attacking changes early in the second period but struggled to create clear-cut chances against Andoni Iraola’s enterprising team.

Bournemouth were back in front in the 74th minute after a fluid move finished off by Alex Scott, who rifled the ball past David Raya.

Arsenal pushed for a leveller but slumped to just their second home defeat in the league this season.

With six games to go, Arsenal, chasing their first Premier League title since 2004, are nine points clear of second-placed City.

But Guardiola’s men can close to within three points of the top if they beat Chelsea on Sunday and overcome the Gunners in an Etihad summit meeting next week.

Arsenal came into the match lifted by their last-gasp 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

But they were sluggish against a bright Bournemouth team who played the more fluid football in the opening stages.

Iraola’s team took a deserved lead in the 17th minute when Kroupi tapped in from close range after the ball fell to him following a wicked lopping deflection off William Saliba.

The goal followed a well-worked move, with Bournemouth captain Ryan Christie playing a sweetly measured ball into the path of Adrien Truffert, whose cross was deflected into his path by Saliba.

Kroupi, 19, is the first teenager to score 10 goals in his debut Premier League season since Robbie Keane for Coventry City in 1999/2000.

Moments later Kai Havertz squandered a clear chance to level, putting a header over the bar and the crowd became increasingly edgy as the home side struggled to settle.

But Arsenal were level in the 35th minute when Gyokeres blasted home from the penalty spot after the ball struck Christie’s outstretched hand.

Arteta, who has been criticised for being over-cautious this season, made three attacking changes early in the second half, bringing on Eberechi Eze, 16-year-old Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard for Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.

But the changes failed to lift the Gunners, who looked short of attacking ideas beyond long balls to Gyokeres, who fired wide in added time when well placed.

Just weeks ago Arsenal were on track for a unique quadruple before defeat to City in the League Cup final and a shock loss to Southampton in the FA Cup.

They remain favourites for the Premier League title but City, with two games in hand, will travel to Stamford Bridge with renewed hope.

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The post Arsenal stumble in title race with 2–1 loss to Bournemouth appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (PTD-NUPENG) has announced Mathias Ote as its new substantive National Chairman of the PTD Branch.

The decision was taken at the Quarterly National Executive Council meeting of the PTD-NUPENG held at Warri, Delta State, at the weekend.

Ote succeeds the immediate past national chairman of the union, late Comrade Augustine Egbon, who died last year.

Giving his inaugural remarks as national chairman, Comrade Ote paid tribute to his predecessor, whom he described as a great and exceptional leader.

He said, “The development of the Union and sustainable welfare of his members was his topmost priority, which he maintained till death.”

“It is indeed very painful to lose such a great and exemplary leader who has impacted positively the life of his people and kept an indelible mark in the history of the Union.”

The new chairman, who appealed to tanker drivers to ensure safety on the road, further cautioned against night driving.

“The risk at which we travel at night is in the increasing rate; you can agree with me that a lot of evil activities mostly happen at night, such as hijacking of trucks, kidnapping for ransom, killing for rituals, and ghastly accidents leading to destruction of lives and properties of the people of our great people of our dear country Nigeria, due to the deteriorated condition of some of our roads.

“In view of the above, I urge all our members to desist from the act of night driving because if anything happens, you will bear the consequences.”

National Trustees of NUPENG, Comrade Salimon Oladiti, spoke in a similar vein as he urged tanker drivers to avoid unnecessary risks that could jeopardize their lives.

PTD-NUPENG NEC announces Ote as new substantive chairman

Troops under Operation Fansan Yamma have arrested a man suspected of working with terrorists in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected informant in the Banikawa 1 area.

Troops from Sector 1 acted swiftly on the information and apprehended the suspect.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed to involvement in several terrorist activities, including the attack on Forward Operating Base Maro in December 2024 and the recent abduction of a reverend father in Kagarko Local Government Area,” the source said.

The source added that the suspect also admitted to supplying food and other logistics to terrorists in their camps.

The suspect is currently in custody while investigations continue, and further action is expected.

Troops arrest suspected terrorist collaborator in Kaduna

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with an Iranian delegation during the Islamabad Talks on Saturday, as both countries discussed efforts to promote peace and stability.

The Iranian team was led by the Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, alongside Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.

In a statement shared by the government of Pakistan on X, the prime minister praised Iran’s participation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to support dialogue efforts.

He said Pakistan remains committed to playing a mediating role to help achieve “meaningful results in the interest of regional and global peace and stability”.

Top Pakistani officials were also present at the meeting, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi.

The talks are part of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation and easing tensions in the region.

Pakistan, Iran hold talks to advance peace, regional stability

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has urged greater integration of rail infrastructure with ports to boost efficiency in the country’s freight and logistics system.

Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa made the call during a Nigerian Ports Consultative Council meeting, warning that maritime reforms and deep seaports would deliver limited benefits without effective rail connectivity.

Opeifa acknowledged progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing ongoing collaboration between the NRC and port authorities. However, he stressed the need for deliberate measures to improve cargo movement from ports, particularly in Lagos and along the eastern corridor.

He announced that the Kaduna–Kano rail corridor is nearing completion, while new lines are planned to connect Lekki Deep Sea Port, Tin Can Island Port, Warri Port, Port Harcourt’s Onne Port, and Baro Port. The Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge will also be extended to Tin Can Island.

“The government has approved plans, including extending the Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge from Apapa Port to Tin Can Island Port.

“On the central line, the Warri–Itakpe line will connect Warri Port to improve cargo movement.

“On the eastern flank, the narrow gauge will link Port Harcourt Port at Onne, while Lagos–Kano will connect to Baro Port,” he said.

He urged stakeholders, including truckers, to support the initiative, noting their continued role in moving raw materials and distributing imports. He also called for more freight yards across narrow and standard gauge lines to expand cargo handling capacity.

Opeifa added that the Federal Government is pursuing high‑speed rail development through private sector participation, with a committee already set up by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to drive implementation.

The post NRC calls for stronger rail links to ports appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Moyo Ogunlewe, has condemned the conversion of a toilet facility into spaces used for a food shop and a hair salon at the Onabanjo Street market in Oworoshoki, Lagos.

Ogunlewe expressed concern over the unsanitary condition during an unannounced inspection of the market, which also formed part of a monitoring visit to ongoing road construction projects in the area.

During the visit, the council chairman toured the busy market and engaged traders and officials on the public health risks associated with the practice.

He described the situation as unacceptable, questioning how commercial activities involving food and personal services could be carried out within a toilet facility.

Video from the inspection showed exposed plumbing, PVC piping, and unfinished concrete structures within the space being used for the businesses.

In a social media post accompanying the footage, Ogunlewe said: “Why do you have a food shop and salon in a toilet in a local market?”

Lagos Kosofe Chairman Raises Alarm Over Shop, Salon Inside Toilet is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Taraba State chapter of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) has announced a shift in its political ideology, pledging to abandon godfatherism in favour of a system rooted in service, merit, and accountability.

The declaration was made on Saturday during the official unveiling of the YPP secretariat in Jalingo, the state capital.

Speaking, the party’s state chairman, Alhaji Sahadu Hassan Abubakar, said the new direction underscores the party’s commitment to transparent governance and competence-driven leadership.

According to him, the move is aimed at restoring public confidence in the political process and ensuring that leadership positions are attained through ability, dedication, and service rather than political patronage.

“The focus now is on the people,” he said, adding that accountability and performance would remain key benchmarks for anyone seeking or holding public office under the party’s platform.

Abubakar further described the newly inaugurated secretariat as more than a physical structure, noting that it represents a hub for political transformation in the state.

“We are establishing a command centre for change, a home for the common man, and a sanctuary for every Taraban who believes that purposeful leadership is the only path to a progressive future,” he stated.

Also speaking, the party’s national chairman, Bishop Emmanuel Amakiri, urged residents of Taraba State to align with the party’s vision.

He stressed the need for unity and inclusiveness, assuring that the party would carry everyone along regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.

The party leadership also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a level playing field for all registered political parties and candidates, emphasising the importance of fairness in the democratic process.

Party officials said the development marks a deliberate effort to redefine politics in Taraba State, with a focus on promoting inclusive development and responsible governance.

Taraba YPP renounces godfatherism, adopts merit-driven politics

Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to commiserate with the Nigerian Army and the state government following a deadly attack on military personnel in Benisheikh.

The visit, carried out on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, was disclosed on Saturday in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).

Shettima described the fallen soldiers, including Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, as patriots who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.

“These men wore the uniform for all of us. They stood to protect our communities, our families, and the future of our children. Their courage reminds us that peace and security often come at a very heavy cost,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity, assuring that criminals would not escape justice under the current administration.

The condolence visit follows a midnight assault on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, where suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters reportedly launched coordinated attacks on multiple military positions around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday.

According to accounts from surviving soldiers, the attackers advanced in large numbers, striking at least three military formations before moving into nearby civilian areas in what was described as one of the most intense attacks in recent months.

However, the Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai has dismissed reports claiming that 17 soldiers, including a brigade commander, were killed.

The Media Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, stated that only two officers and two soldiers died during the engagement, describing higher casualty figures as false and misleading.

Borno attack: Shettima visits Maiduguri, mourns slain soldiers