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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.

The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.

Mr Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.

In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Nigerian government, on Sunday, indicated its readiness to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence.

The effort primarily targets Nigerians who feel threatened by the xenophobic violence and tension in parts of South Africa, as the protests against black immigrants in the country continue. Two Nigerians were killed last month.

Since the announcement, about 130 Nigerians in South Africa have expressed a willingness to return home voluntarily.

Mr Ebienfa stated that the return of the Nigerians depends on their financial capacity, as they would be expected to fund their trip back home individually.

He said, “Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria.”

The government will not “provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them.”

He also noted that the speed of the repatriation process will be determined by the availability of funds.

“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria.”

Mr Ebienfa also explained that Nigerians who have so far expressed interest are motivated either by concerns about threats to their lives or by fear of arrest by South African law enforcement agencies.

“There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact.

“Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria,” he explained.

However, he noted that the process is still being worked out and that the government would step in to provide aircraft or other needed assistance if tensions rise and the situation becomes more volatile. 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) traded blame on Tuesday over a wave of defections that has shaken the opposition coalition.

The exchange featured ADC Deputy National Financial Secretary, Oladimeji Fabiyi, and Hon. Ifeanyi Uzokwe, a federal lawmaker representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, who on Tuesday defected to the NDC alongside 16 other lawmakers.

Fabiyi dismissed suggestions that the ADC is in crisis, insisting the party remains strong and accusing defectors of acting out of personal ambition.

“There’s nothing wrong with our party. Perhaps something is wrong with those that are leaving,” he said.

He argued that those exiting the party were motivated by political calculations rather than ideology.
“A lot of them… were leaving not because they love NDC, but because they felt they needed a platform to advance their political journey.”

Fabiyi also took aim at former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, suggesting he avoided internal contests within the coalition.

“You will know that he’s not a man who likes to face challenges… he only wants to fight for himself.”

On concerns about internal disputes, Fabiyi downplayed the impact of ongoing litigation, describing the cases against the party as weak.

“We just have flimsy court cases that cannot even stop us… if it’s on the point of law, ADC cannot lose.”

He rejected claims that the coalition was built to serve former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition, instead portraying Atiku as a unifying figure.

“This has nothing to do with Atiku Abubakar… what he did was to provide leadership and converge opposition elements.”

Fabiyi further argued that those unwilling to face Atiku in a primary contest lacked political courage.
“Is Atiku God that you cannot face?… It’s cowardice.”

However, Uzokwe disagreed, directly blaming Atiku’s ambition for the breakdown within the coalition and the defections.

“The ambition of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar… is what killed PDP,” he said.

He revealed that consultations with key political figures influenced the decision of lawmakers to leave the ADC.

“We went to Atiku Abubakar’s house… we went to Kwankwaso’s house… and what Atiku told us was why we left today.”

According to Uzokwe, the refusal to zone the presidency to the South was a critical issue that drove the mass defection.

“We said, can you step down and leave Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and others… If Atiku says today he is stepping down… and the South should produce the candidate, things would change.”

He also alleged that Atiku asserted control over the coalition, raising concerns among stakeholders.

“Atiku Abubakar said was formed in his house, that ADC is his party, that nobody will tell him anything.”

Uzokwe rejected claims that defectors lacked electoral strength, defending his own political standing.

“I defeated their Labour candidate… Nnewi North/South is one of the toughest constituencies… I won in court, I won rerun.”

The lawmaker insisted the decision to defect was based on principle, not political survival.

The exchange became increasingly heated, with both men accusing each other of misrepresenting facts and “playing to the gallery.”

Fabiyi maintained that defectors overestimated their chances without aligning with Obi.

“They felt they could not win without Peter Obi… that’s the only way they can win the election.”

But Uzokwe dismissed that claim, maintaining that structural imbalances within the coalition made it untenable.

ADC, Defectors Clash As NDC Lawmaker Blames Atiku For Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the resumption of the Nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise which will resume for its third and final phase on Monday, 11th May 2026.

It may be recalled that the second phase of the exercise was suspended on 17th April 2026 to allow the Commission clean up the register after its publication for claims and objections by registrants.

In a statement released today May 5, Mohammed Kudu Haruna Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, says the third phase of the CVR, which begins on Monday, 11th May 2026, will end on Friday, 10th July 2026. The statement added that during this period, eligible citizens who have attained the age of 18, as well as those who were unable to register during the earlier phases, should seize this opportunity to do so.

The statement added that registered voters who wish to transfer their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or correct their biodata, are also advised to access the Commission’s dedicated online portal at https://cvr.inecnigeria.org or visit INEC State and Local Government Area offices nationwide.

‘’In continuation of the process, the Commission will display the Register of Voters for claims and objections from Thursday, 23rd July to Wednesday, 29th July 2026. This statutory exercise provides an important opportunity for citizens to scrutinise the register and assist the Commission in ensuring its accuracy, completeness and credibility.

The Commission reassures Nigerians that all necessary arrangements have been concluded for the smooth conduct of the exercise. We once again appeal to all eligible citizens to present themselves for registration and to play their part in strengthening the foundation of our electoral process.’’the statement read in part

 

An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bukar Kashim Goni, who was accused of complicity in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration through a coup d’état, has claimed that over N10 million transferred to his bank account was for prayers.

Sheikh Goni is one of the six defendants facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the botched coup plot.

Other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, which was filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; and two others—Zekeri Umoru and Abdulkadir Sani.

At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, the court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, viewed video evidence that depicted an interaction the Islamic cleric had with security operatives who investigated the case.

When the investigators confronted the defendant with financial records showing multi-million-naira transfers allegedly linked to the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, he immediately denied his involvement in any plot against President Tinubu.

The defendant insisted all funds he received from Col. Ma’aji were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes.”

Explaining that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri, the defendant told the investigators that his relationship with Ma’aji was based on religious interactions and requests for spiritual support.

According to him, the military officer approached him for prayers over alleged promotion delays and other personal challenges.

Despite his stoic denial of any affiliation with the alleged coup plot, investigators queried his explanation using evidence from his financial records, which allegedly showed transfers to him starting in March 2023—months before the promotion issues he referenced

The investigators equally drew his attention to transactions allegedly running into millions of naira, including a ₦10 million transfer said to have been made in October 2024.

He was further asked to explain how some of his discussions with the primary suspect included references to gaining “access” and acquiring “work tools,” which the investigators said pointed to a broader operation, like the planned coup.

However, Sheikh Goni maintained his position, insisting he had no knowledge of any illegal plan, saying he neither had any involvement in political nor military activities.

In another video viewed in open court, another defendant, Umoru—a staff member of Julius Berger Nigeria attached to the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa—claimed he was “misled” into associating with Col. Ma’aji.

He also denied knowingly participating in any coup plot.

Nevertheless, the defendant admitted receiving several cash payments, including a “Ghana Must Go” bag that allegedly contained ₦8.8 million.

The defendant said he believed the transactions were related to business opportunities.

The court had previously viewed video evidence in which some of the defendants allegedly admitted participating in coded communications, meetings and reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa, although they denied involvement in any concrete attempt to overthrow the government.

Trial Justice Abdulmalik adjourned further hearing in the case until May 11, 12, and 13.

The FG, in the charge before the court, alleged that the defendants, sometime in September 2025, conspired to levy war against the state to overawe President Tinubu—an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

It was further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Col. Ma’aji and others but failed to alert the appropriate authorities.

The FG stated that they rendered assistance to Col. Ma’aji, as shown by their failure to disclose the coup plot to the President or a peace officer.

The defendants were also accused of failing to take preventive steps, having “not used any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence.”

Other allegations centred on terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendants were said to have conspired to commit an act of terrorism in Nigeria.

Upon their arraignment before the court on April 22, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge and were remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending determination of the case.

Timipre Sylva — a former governor of Bayelsa State who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari — was also mentioned in the charge.

The former governor is said to be at large after fleeing the country before the alleged coup plot was exposed.

The allegations against the defendants include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering in furtherance of terrorist acts.

 

Barely a year to the inauguration of the 11th National Assembly, the Senate on Tuesday moved to tighten its internal rules, effectively narrowing the path to its most powerful offices and edging out a class of incoming lawmakers, including serving governors and former senators eyeing leadership positions.

In a move widely seen as pre-emptive, the red chamber, after about three hours of a closed-door session, amended Orders 4 and 5 of its Standing Rules, restricting eligibility for both presiding and principal offices to ranking lawmakers with defined legislative experience.

The amendments come amid growing interest by outgoing governors and political heavyweights, many of whom are positioning to enter the Senate in 2027 to contest for top leadership roles such as Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

Under the Revised Order 4, the Senate reinforced a strict hierarchy for the emergence of presiding officers, stating that “Nomination of senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of senators and shall be strictly adhered to.

“The order of ranking are (i) Former President of the Senate, (ii) Former Deputy President of the Senate, (iii) Former Principal Officers of the Senate, (iv) Senators who had served at least one term of four years, (v) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives, (vi) In the absence of i to v, senators elected into the Senate for the first time,” it stated.

Beyond this ranking structure, the Senate introduced a more stringent provision in Order 5, effectively excluding first-time and non-consecutive lawmakers from contesting principal offices.

The amended rule states: “Any senator shall not be eligible to contest for any principal office of the Senate unless he has served as a senator for at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.”

The implication is far-reaching: senators-elect who were not members of both the 9th and 10th National Assembly would be ineligible to vie for key leadership roles in the 11th Assembly.

Presiding offices in the Senate include the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, while principal offices comprise Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Whip, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip.

The rule changes come against the backdrop of an intensifying scramble for Senate seats ahead of the 2027 general elections, driven largely by governors completing their constitutionally allowed two terms.

No fewer than 10 state governors and several former governors are already angling to secure senatorial tickets, leveraging their influence over party structures to emerge as consensus candidates in their respective states.

At least 12 of the 36 state governors are in their second and final terms, with 10 set to complete their tenure by May 29, 2027.

The looming transition has triggered a wave of political realignments, with many seeking to maintain relevance and influence by moving to the National Assembly.

Eight of the affected governors are from the ruling All Progressives Congress, while Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed is aligned with the Allied Peoples Movement.

Those expected to exit office in 2027 include AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), alongside Makinde and Bala Mohammed.

Although Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma will complete their tenures in early 2028 due to off-cycle elections, both have been drawn into early permutations for Senate seats.

In Imo State, the political temperature has risen sharply following moves by the All Progressives Congress to position Uzodimma for the Imo West senatorial seat.

Party leaders in the state have already named him as the consensus candidate, even as the incumbent senator, Osita Izunaso, is reportedly seeking a return to the red chamber.

Last Saturday, APC leaders from the Orlu Zone (Imo West), led by the state chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, purchased the 2027 senatorial nomination form for the governor, urging him to accept the ticket.

Onyedebelu, who presented the forms to Uzodimma’s Chief of Staff, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, called for pressure on the governor to “accept the plea of Orlu people by filling the forms so that it can be submitted before the deadline of 5th May, 2026.”

The state APC has also warned other aspirants against contesting the seat, insisting that Uzodimma remains the consensus choice.

Complicating the contest, former Governor Rochas Okorocha equally purchased nomination forms in a bid to return to the Senate, a move confirmed by one of his aides, Darlington Ibekwe.

The Orlu Political Consultative Assembly further reinforced Uzodimma’s candidacy, declaring him the sole candidate for the district in what it described as a “total, unanimous, and irrevocable decision.”

The unfolding contest is also shaped by internal power dynamics within the ruling party.

Last month, President Bola Tinubu reportedly rebuffed attempts by National Assembly leaders to secure automatic return tickets for lawmakers, instead reaffirming the authority of state governors over candidate selection.

The stance has strengthened governors’ grip on party structures, enabling many of them to influence senatorial nominations as they prepare for life after office.

Against this backdrop, the Senate’s rule amendments appear designed to preserve institutional hierarchy and prevent an influx of first-time lawmakers, many of them politically powerful, from immediately taking control of the chamber’s leadership.

For ambitious entrants like Uzodimma and others plotting a return or debut in the Senate, the message from the red chamber is clear: experience within its ranks, not political clout outside it, will determine who leads in the 11th National Assembly.

Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has identified Viktor Gyokeres as the Gunners player who proved people wrong following his side’s Champions League semi-final second leg 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Speaking on CBS Sports after the game, the Frenchman gave credit to Gyokeres for his display against the LaLiga giants at the Emirates Stadium.

“If I take the example of Gyokeres, the jury was out on him,” Henry said of the Sweden international.

“It’s not a bad thing. Embrace it. Try to prove people wrong. Tonight he did.

‘Not only tonight, but in the last month, I’ll also give him his credit. He is running, he looks solid and a bit more like a number nine that you can be scared of.”

Gyokeres joined the Premier League North London club from Sporting CP last summer.

UCL: ‘Credit to him’ – Thierry Henry on Arsenal player who proved people wrong

Former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye has slammed the frontline presidential aspirant in the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi for dumping the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

DAILY POST reports that following the unending leadership tussle and litigations in the ADC, Obi and his prospective presidential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso quit ADC on Sunday and joined NDC.

There has been a gale of defections from ADC to the NDC since Obi and Kwankwaso shifted their political alliance to NDC.

Reacting, Dino in a statement on Wednesday morning, accused Obi of running away from competitive primary elections.

The former lawmaker claimed that Obi only wants “air-conditioned kitchen” but not “hot kitchens”, stressing that the former governor of Anambra State never participated in any primary election.

The statement reads, “Peter Obi excused himself from tough situation. If he can not face party tribulations and crisis, how does he intend to handle Nigeria,? Because Nigeria wahala pass ADC problems oooo.

“He can only operate in an air-conditioned kitchen. Hot kitchens are not for him. He has never gone through primary, APGA gave him free Governorship ticket, Atiku gave him free VP ticket, Labour gave free Presidential ticket.

“He cannot be part of primary election, reason why he left PDP, reason why he left ADC for another free ticket in NDC. NDC is an agency of APC”.

He can only operate in air-conditioned kitchen – Dino Melaye slams Peter Obi

Following their exit from the Champions League on Tuesday night, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Jan Oblak has said that Arsenal deserve a place in the final.

The Gunners eliminated the Spanish opponents to book their place in the final.

All the Gunners needed was a first half tap-in from Bukayo Saka to earn their place in the final again, ending a 20-year wait.

Oblak, who gifted Saka the goal, admitted that Mikel Arteta’s team ‘deserved’ to advance to the Champions League final, where they will face Bayern Munich or holders PSG.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the goalkeeper agreed with his manager, Diego Simeone, that Arsenal were the better team in the two legged encounter.

He said, “Whoever wins is always the best team. They won it and congratulations to them. Of course, we are sad and angry but that’s football.

“The second half was good. Maybe we showed them a little bit too much respect in the first and were afraid to play. It was good after that but not enough to progress to the final.

“It’s unlucky for us and we’re upset but it’s life. Arsenal were better and they’re in the final.”

UCL: ‘We were afraid’ – Atletico goalkeeper, Oblak names team that deserves to play in final

Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has defended the club’s celebrations following their victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The Frenchman stated that the celebration is ‘absolutely normal,’ but he urged Mikel Arteta and his team to quickly ‘focus’ on the tasks that lie ahead.

Arsenal triumphed over Atletico with a 2-1 aggregate score, marking their first appearance in a Champions League final since 2006.

The first leg in Madrid concluded with a 1-1 draw, and Bukayo Saka netted the crucial goal at the Emirates Stadium, propelling Arsenal into the final, which is scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.

Wenger, the legendary Arsenal manager, characterized the celebrations as ‘absolutely normal’ and expressed his satisfaction at witnessing the players and fans share in their joy.

Nevertheless, he reminded the squad that ‘the next step’ is to secure their first Champions League title in the upcoming final against either PSG or Bayern Munich.

Wenger remarked to beIN Sports, “I believe Arsenal desired it a bit more than Atleti and were more decisive in the duels.

“We mentioned prior to the match that to reach the final, they needed to exhibit strength defensively, and they did not concede a goal tonight.

“They faced a team that, for 45 minutes, absolutely needed to score, yet they did not allow them any opportunities.

“I think this demonstrates how robust Arsenal are defensively and how disciplined they are, as well as highlighting some limitations of Atletico, who were insufficient in the final third.

“Ultimately, it is a well-deserved victory for Arsenal; there is no doubt they were the superior team over the two legs.

“They celebrated well tonight, which is normal, but it is important to already focus on the final and the upcoming matches.

“The celebration is warranted, and happiness is normal – absolutely normal – but the next step is to reach the final and secure a win.”

UCL: ‘Think of next step’ – Wenger reacts to Arsenal’s celebrations after Atletico’s defeat

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has asked the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, to step down or face impeachment over alleged loss of confidence by opposition lawmakers.

Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State and leads the APP caucus in the House, made the call in a statement on Tuesday.

Ugochinyere also declared interest in the minority leadership position.

“I am interested in the position of Minority Leader. It’s time for Chinda to go,” he said.

The Imo lawmaker alleged that Chinda may be preparing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the Rivers lawmaker had “allegedly purchased the APC governorship form after Chinda and Wike realised that the PDP platform is no longer viable for them.”

Ugochinyere added, “…this evening will be the best honourable time to quit to avoid your impeachment, which the numbers to carry it out have been secured (simple majority).”

The lawmaker further claimed that opposition members in the green chamber had already resolved to remove Chinda, regardless of whether he defects.

“With or without even buying the APC form, as a brother, I urge you to step down because the majority of opposition lawmakers have since lost confidence in you and have resolved to impeach you if you don’t take the honourable path,” he said.

Ugochinyere accused Chinda of undermining opposition politics by allegedly prioritising the interests of former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, over those of opposition parties.

“Knowing fully well you and your leader, Wike, contributed 80 per cent to the destruction of opposition politics in Nigeria,” he said.

“You will agree that our inability to act decisively has aided your stay in an office that you were not committed to its ideals because you decided to elevate Wike’s interest over opposition interest.

“Time is up, sir. Voluntary step down this evening is the only way to save you from what is coming,” he said.

Chinda, a lawyer and long-serving lawmaker from Rivers State, has represented Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives since 2011.

The call for his resignation came after 17 members of the House of Reps defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) during plenary on Tuesday. Two senators also switched parties.

Those who moved to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, and Abdulhakeem Ado.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the NDC, while Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central) left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the NDC.

Also, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South, defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Step Down Or Face Impeachment, Ugochinyere Tells Rep Minority Leader Chinda is first published on The Whistler Newspaper