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Lagos Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat has appointed Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as Director-General of his 2027 governorship campaign, consolidating his push for the APC ticket with backing from President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and key elders of the Governance Advisory Council.

Hamzat’s campaign structure crystallized after he submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, May 29, 2026. 

Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence and Lagos PDP governorship candidate in 2007, was present alongside Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Rep. James Faleke, and other APC leaders during the submission. 

Obanikoro has emerged as the face of Hamzat’s pre-primary consultations, appearing in nearly every strategic meeting since April 13. He accompanied Hamzat to visits with GAC leader Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, and Ikorodu division elders including ex-Deputy Governor Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and ex-Minister Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe. 

At Gbajabiamila’s residence, Obanikoro formally introduced the campaign’s scope. “I can confidently tell the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu that the level of endorsement has been overwhelming”, he said, while soliciting Gbajabiamila’s support for Hamzat as a “seasoned politician well grounded in Lagos politics”. 

Speaking at Obasa’s residence, Obanikoro declared: “Any sincere mind that can interrogate the pedigree of Hamzat will know that Lagos is in good hands. Lagos must not decline, but must grow higher and higher, and with Dr. Hamzat to be at the helm of affairs, Lagos will continue to soar higher and higher”. 

Announcing his form submission on X, Hamzat said: “Today, I submitted my expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 gubernatorial election. This journey is about service, responsibility, and building a Lagos that works better for every family, every business and every resident”. 

He added: “We have made progress together, but there is still more to do. I am stepping forward with experience, purpose and a deep belief in the future of our state”. 

Hamzat began political consultations on April 13 and has since met GAC members, the APC State Working Committee, Speaker Obasa, Senator Solomon, and political bases in Ikorodu, Mushin, and Surulere. He was recently endorsed by President Tinubu, Gov. Sanwo-Olu, and the Governor’s Advisory Council. 

Speaker Obasa has repeatedly declared the race over. “Hamzat is APC candidate, next Lagos governor,” he said Thursday during Hamzat’s visit. “I had discussions with those that matter, but the conclusion is that Hamzat will carry the banner of the party… Hamzat’s candidature has been sealed”. 

Gbajabiamila told Hamzat: “Dr. Hamzat, you’re a man of honour… I am saying it publicly that you can take me for granted because I have confidence in your ability and capacity. So, take my support for granted. My constituency, Surulere, is for you and Lagos is for you”. 

APC Lagos Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi said: “We support you, we trust you, and we are very confident of your competency and humility”. The Lagos NLC and TUC also endorsed him at the 2026 Workers’ Day rally. 

GAC earlier purchased Hamzat’s nomination form after endorsing him as consensus candidate. The form was signed by 120 APC leaders from the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. Former aspirant Jandor and ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode have withdrawn in his favour. 

Obanikoro brings cross-party reach and grassroots machinery. A former PDP chieftain, ambassador, and two-time senator, he defected to APC in 2017. His presence signals Hamzat’s attempt to unify old PDP structures, Justice Forum, and Mandate Group blocs. He told party leaders Hamzat’s pedigree ensures “Lagos will continue to soar”. 

Other campaign figures include, GAC Secretary Mutiu Are, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Bode Oyedele, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, and Hakeem Shittu. 

Hamzat is framing 2027 as a referendum on continuity. “The truth of the matter is that if Lagos fails, Nigeria will have problems and we must not fail,” he told APC leaders. 

“We must ensure that what happened in 2023 should not happen again in 2027. We must ensure a resounding victory for our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the next election and ensure a similar victory for APC in Lagos”. 

He accused opponents of “trying to de-market our election, simply because they cannot win”.

 

A man identified as Mr. Samuel Chidi, a law graduate from Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, has been accused of deliberate criminal negligence towards his wife.

According to a social media user who shared the story with Igbere TV, Chidi, a resident of Diamond Point Junction, Chinedu Ogah Avenue, Abakaliki, allegedly watched his wife, who had previously delivered twice via caesarean section, battle with labor pains in their room and eventually succumbed to fatal bleeding.

It is alleged that Chidi could have easily contacted a nurse who lived in the same compound but instead left the woman locked up in the room with a patent medicine dealer, who administered improper injections, and dragged the baby to the ground while the husband pinned her legs down. 

The husband allegedly collected the blood and the baby’s placenta and hid in his room, leaving the mother to bleed to death.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 11 pm, and Chidi did not inform anyone in the compound or any member of the deceased’s family until the afternoon of the following day when a neighbor, a nurse, came to check on Mrs. Nkechi, the late woman, and learned of the incident.

She insisted that the corpse be deposited immediately at the morgue for proper attention, while the newborn baby be moved into intensive care, the source said.

The family of the deceased was contacted soon after and was dismayed by the negligent conduct of the man who had sworn to love, cherish, and protect their daughter. They withdrew the body and proceeded to dump it in the man’s compound for him to do with it as he had presumably purposed.

However, for the quick intervention of members of the Nigeria Police from Kpirikpiri Station, who were on patrol duty and got wind of the incident, and prevailed on the situation.

The corpse was returned to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki mortuary, while the suspect was placed under police custody pending investigation and trial.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Nkechi remain largely a mystery to her neighbors and family, and the general public is hopeful that the justice department of the state will leave no stone unturned in their attempt to unravel it and bring those culpable to book, a family member said.

Nigeria’s Department of State Service has been urged to urgently probe the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the Federal House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and 60 other legislators over alleged dollar inducement scandal currently rocking the House.

A civil society organisation, the Centre for Legislative Accountability and Democratic Integrity, CLADI, made this petition known in a document dated June 5, 2026, signed by its National President, Usman Abdullahi, and Secretary, Barr Chika Nwafo. 

The petitioners demanded that the Department of State Services, DSS, begin an immediate investigation into allegations that lawmakers received financial inducements in connection with the race for the position of minority leader in the House of Representatives.

In a petition titled “Request for Immediate Investigation into Alleged Financial Inducement of Members of the House of Representatives in the Contest for Minority Leadership Position”, the group urged the DSS to investigate Ikenga Ugochinyere and more than 60 opposition lawmakers reportedly involved in the endorsement scandal.

The CSO described the allegations as a serious threat to the integrity of the National Assembly and Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

According to the CSO, reports that lawmakers may have received financial incentives of up to $50,000 to support a particular candidate for minority leadership in the House of Representatives raise grave concerns that cannot be ignored by security and anti-corruption agencies.

The petition followed controversies which trailed the emergence of Ugochinyere as the Reps minority leader after the resignation of Kingsley Chinda, the now Rivers All Progressives Congress governorship candidate.

Recall that on Thursday, the green chamber was thrown into a rowdy session after Philip Agbese, a member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal of Benue State, alleged forgery of his signature in a document endorsing Ugochinyere. 

However, Ugochinyere on Friday released a video of Agbese’s endorsement. 

Reacting, CLADI said the allegations had the potential to erode public confidence in parliament if left unaddressed.

“The National Assembly occupies a sacred position in our constitutional democracy. Any suggestion that principal officers of the parliament are being produced through financial inducement rather than democratic consensus represents a direct assault on the integrity of the legislature and must be thoroughly investigated,” the petition read.

“We are compelled to bring this matter to your attention because of widespread reports alleging that substantial sums of foreign currency ($50,000) were offered to lawmakers to secure their signatures and support. While these claims remain allegations, their gravity requires urgent and impartial investigation,” the petition stated.

“No individual should be allowed to compromise the credibility of the House of Representatives. If public officers exchanged money to influence the emergence of parliamentary leaders, such conduct amounts to a betrayal of the electorate and an affront to democratic values,” the petitioners added. 

Reps Minority Leader Tussle: DSS told to probe lawmakers over alleged dollar inducement

The National Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Kogi State, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, OON, has called for stronger commitment to environmental protection…

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Iran’s military on Friday launched “warning missiles” toward two United States Navy destroyers operating in the Gulf of Oman, claiming the vessels subsequently left the area and headed toward the Indian Ocean.

The claim was contained in a statement issued by the Iranian army and reported by the country’s state news agency, IRNA.

According to the statement, the action formed part of ongoing efforts by Tehran to confront what it described as maritime violations and harassment by US naval forces in the region.

“In continuation of operations to counter maritime misconduct and harassment, as well as the hijacking of commercial vessels and oil tankers by the terrorist naval forces of the United States, following the firing of warning missiles, the hostile destroyers DDG-103 and DDG-8 have left the Gulf of Oman towards the Indian Ocean,” the statement said.

The development came shortly after the United States Indo-Pacific Command announced that American forces had intercepted the sanctioned vessel, M/T DAVINA, in the Indian Ocean during an overnight operation.

In a statement posted on X, the command reiterated Washington’s commitment to enforcing maritime sanctions linked to Iran.

“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the US military said.

The latest exchange adds to growing tensions between Tehran and Washington over maritime activities in the region.

Relations between the two countries have remained strained amid US efforts to tighten sanctions on Iranian oil exports, while Iran has repeatedly issued warnings regarding shipping activities around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways.

The Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical routes for global energy supplies, making security developments in the region a major concern for international shipping and oil markets.

Iranian military launches warning missiles toward US warships

The event, themed “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” was organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services in partnership with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

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The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2027 Lagos State election, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has appointed former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, as the Director-General of his campaign organisation.

Hamzat reportedly unveiled the appointment during an expanded meeting of the campaign council held in Lagos.

According to a report by Arise Television, President Bola Tinubu endorsed Obanikoro’s emergence during a recent meeting with APC stakeholders and officials in the state.

The president was said to have expressed confidence in Obanikoro’s capacity to coordinate the campaign, citing his extensive experience in public service and his record in both elective and appointive positions at the state and federal levels.

Obanikoro is a seasoned politician whose career spans several decades. He previously contested the Lagos governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and has held a number of strategic government positions.

His public service journey includes serving as Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in 1999 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.

He later represented Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Senate after winning the election in 2003 and served one term before being appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana in May 2008.

Obanikoro subsequently joined the federal cabinet in 2013 as Minister of State for Defence before being reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served as Minister of State.

Lagos 2027: Obafemi Hamzat appoints Obanikoro campaign DG

Nigeria’s first large-scale gold mining company, Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), has expanded its Livelihood Restoration Programme by launching the first phase of its Plantain Rehabilitation Programme and advancing its Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme (now in its third phase), providing agricultural support to 100 farmers across its host communities in Osun State. 

The handover ceremony, held on Thursday, June 4, at the New Iperindo Town Hall in Iperindo, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, beneficiaries, and key stakeholders from SROL’s host communities to celebrate another milestone in the company’s commitment to sustainable community development.

The latest intervention underscores SROL’s dedication to creating long-term economic opportunities for its host communities by supporting agriculture, strengthening livelihoods, and promoting environmentally sustainable income-generating activities.

Since the launch of the Livelihood Restoration Programme in 2023, SROL has implemented a range of initiatives designed to restore and improve the livelihoods of project-affected persons. Beyond financial compensation, the company has invested in agricultural empowerment programmes including fish farming, vegetable farming, and phased seedling distribution initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable income generation and long-term economic resilience.

Building on the success of its earlier rehabilitation initiatives, SROL has continued to deepen its support for local farmers through the current cocoa and plantain rehabilitation phases. Under the second phase of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme, 23 beneficiaries from each host community received 400 high-yield cocoa seedlings and agrochemicals, while the first phase of the Oil Palm Rehabilitation Programme provided seven beneficiaries from the host communities with 100 high-yield oil palm seedlings and agrochemicals each. 

Under the third phase of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme and the first phase of the Plantain Rehabilitation Programme, a total of 100 farmers across SROL’s three host communities will benefit from the initiative. Seventy beneficiaries have been enrolled in the cocoa rehabilitation programme, while 30 beneficiaries are participating in the plantain rehabilitation programme.

As part of the intervention, each cocoa rehabilitation beneficiary received 500 high-yield cocoa seedlings, along with agrochemicals, while each plantain rehabilitation beneficiary received 100 plantain suckers and agrochemicals to support cultivation and improve productivity.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Madhurii Sarkar-Amoda, Community Development and Stakeholder Manager at Segilola Resources Operating Limited, said:

“Agriculture remains a vital source of livelihood for many families within our host communities. Through the Livelihood Restoration Programme, we are equipping farmers with the resources they need to improve productivity, increase their incomes, and build more sustainable futures. This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of our operations extend beyond mining and contribute meaningfully to the long-term economic growth and resilience of our host communities.”

Community representatives also commended SROL for its sustained investment in improving livelihoods across its host communities, noting that the company has consistently implemented impactful empowerment programmes. They encouraged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity by ensuring that the provided seedlings and resources contribute to increased productivity and sustainable income generation. 

Through initiatives such as the Livelihood Restoration Programme, SROL continues to demonstrate that responsible mining can generate lasting value. By empowering people, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and driving inclusive socio-economic development, the company is creating meaningful and enduring progress across its host communities. 

Segilola Resources Operating Ltd advances cocoa rehabilitation, launches plantain production in host communities

The Ondo State government has disclosed that a coordinated joint security operation has been activated following the kidnapping of a nine-year-old pastor’s son by suspected bandits in Igbosi Community, Idogun, Ose Local Government Area.

With the state government calling for calm over the situation, particularly in the community, it stated that personnel of the Amotekun Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and the military have been mobilised for a rescue operation.

According to the Commissioner for Information in the state, the combing operations within the community have begun, stressing that no stone will be left unturned towards rescuing the victim.

A nine-year-old son of a pastor, Victor Olaosebikan, was in the early hours of Friday abducted by bandits who stormed the community. The attack marks the latest security breach in the state.

The statement read, “The Ondo State Government wishes to assure residents that the security situation is being closely monitored and professionally managed by relevant agencies.

“Preliminary security measures have already been strengthened in the affected axis, while intelligence gathering and search operations are ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.” 

Ondo govt, security agencies launch manhunt for abductors of pastor’s 9yr old son

Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia has emerged as a potential contender for the senatorial ticket of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the

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