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The Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, in Abia State, Chijioke Chukwu has said that candidates for the 2027 polls in the state will not be hand-picked and imposed on the party members.

Chukwu, who was speaking at the APC State office in Umuahia on Tuesday while receiving the aspirant for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal constituency, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, said every aspirant would get a level playing ground.

He also said that the APC in Abia has ended the previous practices where some party members only used the name of the party to secure appointments from the Federal government.

The Abia APC Chairman explained that candidates for the 2027 elections would only emerge through the will of the party members, not through anybody’s connection to officials at the APC headquarters.

“We have returned power to the people. Nobody can stay on this table and give anybody a ticket.

“And the disposition of the APC today means that it is not a party where somebody can go to the APC headquarters and say I have discussed with them”, Chukwu maintained.

He lamented that the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal constituency is presently at the lowest ebb in terms of representation and connection with the people.

In his speech, Abia State Director of City Boy Movement and the aspirant for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal constituency, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe said that he would change the narrative.

No Abia APC candidate will emerge through imposition – Chairman, Chukwu

Real Madrid icon, Luis Figo, has expressed his views regarding the possibility of the club finishing the season without any trophies.

He remarked that achieving victory in football is challenging, but emphasized that the pressure intensifies when it comes to Madrid.

Last season, Los Blancos secured the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Nevertheless, they were unable to clinch the LaLiga title or the UEFA Champions League.

This season, they have not managed to acquire any trophies.

Luis Figo, the legendary figure of Real Madrid, shared his perspective on this matter, stating as reported by Madrid Universal, “People are always searching for someone to hold accountable, but I’m not privy to the dressing room dynamics.

“Being among the elite teams globally, if titles are not won over two years, it raises concerns. That’s the nature of Madrid; they are accustomed to success.

“However, winning is not guaranteed in football; it would become quite tedious, and there are other prominent teams with significant ambitions.

“Yet, at Madrid, the scrutiny is always more intense. The players consistently strive for victory; losing is far more undesirable.”

Real Madrid faced elimination in the Copa del Rey at the hands of Segunda Division team Albacete during the Round of 16. They were defeated 3-2 in the Supercopa de España final by their fierce rivals, Barcelona.

In the Champions League, Bayern Munich ousted them in the quarter-finals, triumphing 6-4 on aggregate.

Meanwhile, in LaLiga, they find themselves nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona with seven matches left to play.

LaLiga: Luis Figo speaks on Real Madrid going trophyless this season

Hon. Ibraheem Salami is the Chairman and Sole Administrator of the Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Service, he was also the Director, Youth Mobilisation of Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2023 election. In this interview with YINKA OLADOYINBO, he speaks on efforts at expanding the operations of the PTS, issues of corruption in the system, among others. Excerpt […]

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the labour secretary of President Donald Trump, has resigned.

The Trump administration announced this on Monday, following multiple allegations of misconduct, which include accusations of an affair with a subordinate and purportedly consuming alcohol while on duty.

Chavez-DeRemer is the third cabinet member, all of whom are women, to leave during the president’s second term, succeeding homeland security secretary Kristi Noem and attorney general Pam Bondi.

Her departure occurs amidst an ongoing investigation by the department’s inspector general into allegations of professional misconduct involving Chavez-DeRemer and her close aides.

Reports indicate that she allegedly had an affair with a member of her security team, maintained a “stash” of alcohol in her office, and misused government resources for personal travel.

Additionally, her aides are accused of attempting to direct grants to politically connected individuals, as reported by the New York Times in March.

Chavez-DeRemer is not the only official from the Trump administration facing difficulties this April.

The Atlantic published a report on Friday regarding Trump’s FBI director, Kash Patel, which included claims of “excessive drinking” and instances of “conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences” during his tenure as FBI director.

Patel has refuted these allegations and has threatened legal action against the magazine.

On Monday, he initiated a defamation lawsuit in US district court, seeking $250 million in damages.

Democrats have seized upon this situation, asserting that the recent changes within Trump’s cabinet serve as evidence that his “administration is imploding.”

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has also demanded Patel’s immediate resignation.

“Americans deserve steady, SOBER leadership from their FBI Director,” Schumer stated on X, adding, “Every day he remains in office is a national security risk.”

US: Another female member of Trump’s cabinet resigns

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has refuted what it characterized as a malicious video circulating on the internet, attributed to the commission.

It stated that the visuals, names, and information presented in the video were fabricated and, in certain cases, generated by artificial intelligence, intended solely to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.

In a statement issued by J. Okor Odey, Head of Media and Public Communication, the Commission clarified that it had not released any report or statement endorsing the claims made in the video, including the purported involvement of any individual or judicial officer.

“To clarify, the ICPC is not conducting an investigation into any individual, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), group of lawyers, or judicial officer concerning the fictitious N50 billion bribe mentioned in the video,” the statement emphasized.

“No such case, transaction, or investigation is recorded within the Commission’s files. These assertions are completely false and should be ignored,” it further stated.

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its mandate of conducting credible, evidence-based investigations in accordance with the law.

It cautioned individuals or groups responsible for the creation and distribution of the video to cease their actions immediately.

“The ICPC will not permit the misuse of its name and institutional integrity to propagate disinformation under the guise of ‘content creation’,” it added.

The Commission indicated that those accountable for originating or amplifying the malicious content will face severe legal repercussions upon being apprehended.

ICPC disowns viral video, denies investigating SAN, any individual over N50bn bribe

Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, over a span of three months have intensified a series of operations and intelligence driven efforts aimed at cracking down on terrorists and dismantling their logistics supply networks within the operational environment.

In one of such operations, troops deployed along  Road Jamata–Owara in Lokoja Local Government Area on 29 March 2026, intercepted a suspected terrorist logistics courier riding a motorcycle. Troops further carried out an intensive search on the motorcycle which revealed it had been specially modified with a concealed compartment for the covert conveyance of ammunition, in addition to other items. Preliminary findings further established links between the suspect and known terrorist elements, leading to follow-on operations.

Following the arrest of high-profile terrorist ammunition courier, Mathew Elisha (alias Nasara), who had been on security watch lists, troops of the Brigade recorded another operational success by intercepting two suspected terrorists’ logistics couriers and recovering a large cache of ammunition in Kogi State.

The operation which was conducted on 20 April 2026, followed credible intelligence on the movement of suspected terrorists’ logistics elements within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility. Acting swiftly on the report, troops deployed at Response Area Oshokoshoko mounted a snap checkpoint along Road Obajana–Kabba in Lokoja Local Government Area.

During the operation, troops intercepted a Toyota bus conveying the suspects en route Obajana from Makurdi. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the arrest of two suspected terrorists’ logistics couriers identified as Mallam Zubairu Abubakar and Adamu Abubakar Abdullahi.

Further search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a sack containing 314 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition suspected to re establish their already dismantled network overtime and three AK-47 rifle magazines concealed behind the driver’s seat. Other items recovered from the suspects include two mobile phones, one driver’s licence, one National Identification Number slip, and an identity card.

The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to 12 Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation and necessary action.

This successful interception underscores the vigilance and proactive posture of troops in denying terrorists freedom of movement and disrupting their logistics network within the operational environment.

Residents of Kassa community in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State attacked soldiers and set a military checkpoint ablaze following the burial of a villager reportedly k!lled by gunmen.

They said the soldiers were not doing enough to protect them from repeated attacks.

The protest caused some disruption, but things later calmed down after community leaders stepped in.

No one was k!lled, and security has now been increased in the area.

The hot race to Kwara State Government House is on. Aspirants from the three senatorial districts are all geared up in their politicking to occupy the number one seat of political governance in the “State of Harmony” come 2027. As we have popular contenders for the seat, judged by various measures, there are others considered […]

Bandits who attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Easter Sunday have demanded a ransom of N1 billion for the release of residents abducted during the assault.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Concerned Ariko Youths, signed by its Chairman, Linus Audu, and Secretary, Kefas Likita, the group described the incident as a tragic attack on innocent worshippers during a solemn period of reflection.

According to the group, those abducted include vulnerable members of the community such as two elderly blind men, women, children, and entire families.

“In the course of what should have been a solemn period of worship and reflection, armed bandits invaded our community, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the abduction of several residents,” the statement read.

“Among those kidnapped are two elderly blind men, two women whose husbands were killed during the attack alongside their children, several young children, two critically ill women, and entire families comprising husbands, wives, and their children.”

The group lamented that the incident had created a humanitarian crisis, leaving families traumatised and uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.

It added that the demand for N1 billion ransom by the abductors was outrageous and beyond the reach of the rural community.

“The situation is further worsened by the demand of an outrageous ransom of one billion naira, an amount far beyond the reach of this community. It is neither reasonable nor humane to expect affected families, already devastated by loss and trauma, to meet such a demand,” the statement added.

The youths stressed that the continued captivity of the victims represents a violation of their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, dignity, and personal liberty.

They called on the Kachia Local Government Authority to urgently collaborate with security agencies to secure the release of the abducted victims, while also appealing to the Kaduna State Government to deploy adequate security measures to the area.

The group further urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts at tackling banditry across the country, warning that delays in response could worsen the suffering of affected families.

“We urge swift, transparent, and effective action to rescue the abducted victims unconditionally and bring the perpetrators to justice. Continued delay will only deepen the suffering of affected families and erode public confidence,” the statement said.

Thai police have arrested a Nigerian suspected drug kingpin, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi, after uncovering about 1.5 million baht, equivalent to over N67m, hidden in the ceiling of his bathroom during a night raid on Saturday 

 It was learnt on Monday from a report published by Bangkok-based news outlet Khaosod English that three other suspects linked to the same drug trafficking ring were also arrested during the operation, which led to the seizure of drugs, cash, and jewellery.

The 46-year-old Nigerian is accused of supplying cocaine for sale in the capital.

According to the report, officers arrested him near Silom Soi 1 after tracking his movements and recovered about 27g of cocaine from him.

Three other suspects were also detained on drug possession charges.

They include a Swiss national, Thomas Giubibini, and two Thai men, Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34.

In total, police seized approximately 30g of cocaine, a car, 1.5m baht in cash, foreign currency worth 15,000 baht, and jewellery valued at 400,000 baht.

The report stated that Ifeanyi had lived in Thailand for more than 17 years on a family visa obtained through a Thai spouse.

However, the report noted that the police suspect the marriage was a sham arranged to provide legal cover for his activities.

Investigators, according to the report, said he allegedly coordinated drug sales through encrypted chat groups, which they infiltrated before tracking his movements and carrying out the arrest.

The police added that the suspect resisted arrest and had to be physically restrained before he later allegedly confessed to the charges.

The arrest comes less than three months after another Nigerian based in Thailand, Ukoma Nuzbech, was arrested for allegedly fleeing an ongoing trial over his involvement in a drug trafficking case in the Koh Pha Ngan area.

Nuzbech was first arrested in March 2025 after he allegedly sold 25.71g of cocaine to an undercover police officer.

He was later released on bail pending trial but reportedly went into hiding instead of appearing in court and allegedly continued his involvement in drug activities.