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A member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Agatu Constituency, Godwin Edoh, has warned that insecurity could hinder the conduct of the 2027 general elections in Agatu Local Government Area if urgent action is not taken.

Speaking with journalists in Makurdi on Monday, the lawmaker expressed concern over persistent attacks in the area, noting that several communities have been abandoned over the past four years due to repeated assaults by suspected herdsmen.

He said, “As I speak to you now, in Obagaji (headquarters of Agatu), for instance, we have deployment of Air Force, soldiers, special police squad and Civil Defence personnel.

“Despite the presence of these security agents, all the people from the hinterlands have relocated to the LG headquarters in Obagaji.

“Some of those villages in the hinterland have been deserted, the people can no longer engage in farming and fishing because those are the two sources of livelihood in the council.

“My fear is that if this attack continues unchecked, it will be difficult for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the 2027 general elections in the areas, because they are not accessible right now.”

Edoh further stated that essential facilities such as schools, markets, and primary healthcare centres in the affected communities have been destroyed.

He, however, commended the directive issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia, ordering security forces to clear criminal elements from forest areas in the state.

The lawmaker expressed hope that proper implementation of the directive would restore calm and enable displaced residents to return home.

He also urged both federal and state authorities to extend ongoing housing programmes for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the area, to support resettlement efforts.

Meanwhile, displaced residents who had sought refuge in Obagaji recently staged protests over their prolonged stay in camps, calling for assistance to return to their homes and livelihoods.

Insecurity may disrupt 2027 elections in Benue — Lawmaker warns

African Democratic Congress, ADC, youths are set to protest at offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lagos, Ogun and Jigawa states on Monday (today).

The protest is geared towards demanding the removal of INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan under the #AmupitanMustGo campaign.

The party’s National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, made this known in a post on X on Monday, where he shared flyers for the Lagos and Ogun demonstrations, both tagged ‘Operation Occupy INEC’.

Rufai stated that the Lagos protest would begin from Yaba College of Technology, while the Ogun protest is scheduled at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited office in Abeokuta.

DAILY POST reports that the planned protests are coming weeks after prominent opposition figures staged a similar ‘Occupy INEC’ protest in Abuja, on April 8, 2026.

ADC chieftains that participated in the Abuja protest include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola and Dino Melaye.

ADC youths set for AmupitanMustGo protests in Lagos, Ogun, Jigawa

Unstable grid power makes alternative energy a must in Nigeria. Solar and inverter systems lead the way for homes and businesses.

The Nigerian Navy said it has intercepted and rescued three suspected stowaways aboard the merchant vessel MSC STELLA (IMO No. 9279988) off the Lagos Fairway Buoy.

The operation followed credible intelligence received from the Western Regional Control Centre, WRCC, at about 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, 19 April 2026.

It said the Quick Response Team, QRT, of NNS BEECROFT, stationed at Tarkwa Bay, was immediately deployed to the vessel’s location.

“The team successfully rescued the three suspects approximately five nautical miles off the Lagos coastline,” statement signed by Captain A Florunsho, Director Naval Information said.

The Navy said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects illegally boarded the vessel at about 1:00 a.m. on Friday, 17 April 2026, while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port.

The statement added, “The individuals identified as Aguru Michael (27), a national of the Benin Republic; Soye Monday (25), from Ondo State; and Kentobou Peter (22), from Delta State, reportedly intended to stow away to Europe,” it added.

It said that this recent rescue effort exemplifies the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives at sea.

“Building on previous successful SAR missions—such as the rescue of seven individuals after the collision involving a Tantita Patrol boat and a wooden vessel in Bayelsa, and the rescue and handover of three foreign stowaways aboard MT ANATOLIA in March 2026—the Navy continues to demonstrate its robust operational tempo in countering irregular migration and ensuring maritime safety across Nigeria’s waters.

“The suspects are now in the custody of NNS BEECROFT, where they are undergoing thorough investigation and administrative processing in line with established laws.

“The Nigerian Navy reaffirms its dedication to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and maintaining effective Search and Rescue operations to combat illegal activities within the country’s territorial waters.”

Nigerian Navy intercepts three stowaways aboard Europe-bound vessel

Reality TV personality Angel Smith has responded to the controversy trailing her separation from her partner, Tumininu, rejecting claims that she withheld funds and maintaining she could not “run away” with money she did not have

Her response follows days after Tumininu publicly demanded the return of $40,000 and other concessions following the breakdown of their marriage, which was formalised in a private ceremony in the United States earlier this year.

In a now-viral interview with a mutual acquaintance, Angel addressed the claims, explaining that a bank held the funds in question and that they were not directly accessible to her.

“I told you that I’m not going to apply more pressure on my bankers. When they do it, they do it… I’m not going to do that anymore,” she said, adding, “I can’t run away with the money.”

She further stated that she had refrained from responding publicly until now, despite repeated online posts about her.

“I haven’t said anything to date… one person is being pressed, and I’m still trying to maintain my composure,” she said.

Angel also alleged that her international passport and some personal belongings were in Tumininu’s possession, raising questions about her ability to move freely.

“Where would I go in America when you know she has my passport? Where am I going?” she said, adding that she could report the matter to authorities if necessary.

She further claimed that police were previously called on her and her friends, describing the situation as potentially dangerous.

“She called 10 police officers… it could have gone bad so quickly, and we’re all Black,” she said. Amid the growing controversy, Angel’s family has publicly backed her.

Her father, Baron Meyagy, in a now-deleted Instagram post, reaffirmed his support, stating that the family would stand by her regardless of the circumstances.

Her mother, Titi Brownshugar, also dismissed claims that Angel owed money, arguing that the online narrative was misleading.

The fallout between the former couple has played out largely on social media, with both parties making allegations ranging from financial disputes to personal misconduct.

Angel, however, maintained that she disengaged from communication after being advised to do so, accusing her former partner of escalating the situation publicly.

“I stopped texting her when she kept posting me online,” she said.

She added that the experience has led her to reconsider her stay in the United States.
“I don’t even want to be here anymore… it feels like no matter what I do, I’m consistently misunderstood,” she said

Angel Denies Withholding $40,000 From Partner is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has informed prospective corps members deployed to Enugu and Osun that the orientation exercise for the two states will commence on Tuesday, 28th April 2026, and end on Monday, 18th May, 2026 – one week after commencement in the other 34 states and the FCT.

The NYSC management, in a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director, Information and Public Relations, said the adjustment is due to the on-going extensive renovation of the camps by the state governments, which has necessitated the change in date.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Orientation Exercise for all other states and the FCT is scheduled to be held from Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 – Tuesday 12th May 2026,” the statement said.

“Affected Prospective Corps Members are to duly note these differing dates for compliance, please.”

The NYSC wished all prospective corps members a safe journey to their states of deployment.

NYSC announces new date for Enugu, Osun orientation camps

An activist, Emeka Ijere, Monday, predicted that Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State would not enjoy much support of the people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone during the 2027 general election.

THE WHISTLER reports that the zone is composed of Nsukka, Uzo-Uwani, Igbo-Etiti, Igboeze North, Igboeze South and Udenu local government areas, and forms the largest population of the three senatorial zones of the state.

Ijere, who spoke with our correspondent in the aftermath of a rally in support of the Mbah re-election in 2027, stated that the governor’s abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party under which he was elected was a major reason for his loss of support of the people of the zone.

He recalled that in the governorship election of 2023, Gov Mbah “won by only the skin of teeth”, adding that he was saved “by the intrinsic campaign flow long imbibed in our consciousness by our loyalty to the political fathers of the state”.

He stated that, “After the scratched victory, Gov Mbah in an incomprehensible turn ditched PDP – the party through which he ascended to power. He then joined Buhari-Tinubu’s APC; a poorly assembled party that is bereft of all Igbo values. And so, Mbah is now left bare of the support of mostly his avid followers.”

He said the reason offered by Gov Mbah for joining APC was unacceptable. “Gov Mbah had joined APC in what he called ‘Connecting to the Centre’, thereby unfortunately applauding that infamous clause terminology that was used by various extortionist administrators of miserable African colonies in their self-gratification to getting undue favours from the home land Britain.”

Ijere also alleged that Gov Mbah abandoned the senatorial zone which, according to him, “has always been symbolic in determining ‘who becomes what’” in the state.

“They will not allow themselves marooned within the APC’s wider political sphere,” he said. “Indeed, the good people of Enugu North have moved on; and now looking into the beautiful horizon of a possible new Nigeria through the prism of His Excellency Peter Obi’s ADC. It is here that our star rises and shines.”

He therefore predicted “a shock akin to tsunami” awaiting any other party that considers making Enugu North senatorial zone a ‘battle field’ of the coming gubernatorial campaigns.

He said, “The bottom-up grassroots campaign strategy of ADC and Enugu North people shall soon be set in motion like rolling stones down the many hills of Nsukka land. The fight shall this time be taken into the forte of those who have treated us as if we do not exist. Gov Mbah’s acclaimed lofty political stance shall be reduced to mere pedestrian narratives to be understood by every youth on the street and every woman in the market. And then, the second-term campaign shall no longer stand but collapse abysmally.”

He concluded that “The collective dream of Igbo race bestowed on Mr Peter Obi for Igbo presidency cannot be truncated by a small group of government ‘employees’ battling to save their jobs with their rented crowd playing hide and seek game.”

Ijere’s position is however differs with the stance of Gov Mbah’s Special Adviser on New Media, Reuben Onyishi. Onyish has maintained that Gov Mbah enjoys “organic support having ensured the presence of his administration in all the political wards in the state through the construction of Smart Green Schools and Type-2 health centres.”

THE WHISTLER reported that the Enugu West Senatorial District had Saturday donated N100m to Mbah to purchase the form for his second term. The zone was led by its senator, Osita Ngwu, during the presentation that held at Awgu. Similarly, Awkunanaw Clan in Enugu East Senatorial Zone held a rally in Gov Mbah’s honour, and banned any person from contesting against him come 2027.

2027: Activist Predicts Poor Outing For Gov Mbah In Enugu North District is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned a suit seeking to stop Senator l Ireti Kingibe from parading herself as member of African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The suit was adjourned to June 9, 2026, for hearing.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date following an application for adjournment by counsel for the plaintiffs, I. G. Ogugwa.

Ogugwa, who said the matter was not a pre-election case shortly when it was called for hearing, prayed the court for a longer date.

DAILY POST reports that Justice Lifu had, on April 2, 2026, refused to grant an application seeking an interim order restraining Kingibe from parading herself as an ADC member.

The judge, in a ruling, rather ordered the plaintiffs in the suit to put Kingibe, who currently represents the FCT at the Senate, on notice to show cause why the reliefs sought should not be granted.

He then adjourned the matter until April 20, 2026, for hearing of all pending applications, including a preliminary objection filed by counsel to the lawmaker, Marshall Abubakar.

Two executive members of the ADC in Wuse Ward, Abuja, had sued Kingibe as sole defendant.

The plaintiffs; Mr Okezuo Kanayo, Chairman of ADC, Wuse Ward, and his Secretary, Mr Isaiah Sameul, had filed the ex-parte motion through their lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere, SAN.

In the motion, dated March 17, 2026, and filed same day, the plaintiffs sought an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from performing any functions or participating in any activities reserved for ADC’s members in any capacity, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

In their seven grounds of argument, the plaintiffs submitted that Kingibe, though a sitting senator, is first a member of ADC and is bound by the party’s constitution.

Their lawyer, Olowookere, said following substantiated allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and the physical confiscation of the ward’s statutory records, the Wuse Ward Executive Committee, on March 10 suspended her.

According to Olowookere, the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee.

He said Kingibe had continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member.

The lawyer alleged that the lawmaker also utilised her security details to intimidate the ward executives, thereby creating a state of anarchy.

ADC crisis: Court adjourns suit against Ireti Kingibe till June 9

Former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was on Monday reportedly prevented from gaining access to the venue of the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District.

The meeting, held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, was scheduled for 11 a.m.

A notice of the meeting cited by our correspondent reads, “This is to invite the following categories of stakeholders in our party, APC, to attend an emergency senatorial meeting scheduled to hold tomorrow, Monday.”

Those expected included past chairmen, past and present National Assembly members, and councillors, among others.

However, the former governor’s convoy in a video circulating on social media was prevented from entering the venue.

In one of the clips, the senator’s supporters were seen, chanting”OGD, OGD, OGD” as Daniel’s security personnel engaged individuals at the gate in an attempt to gain access.

Daniel later addressed his supporters from his vehicle, saying, “We are here for our caucus meeting, and I got here by 10 a.m. They said we shouldn’t enter the venue in Ijebu-Ode.

“Therefore, if they do anything here today without my presence, it is an exercise in futility. So, their actions will amount to self-deceit.”

When contacted, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, confirmed the incident and described the meeting as a gathering of loyalists of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“What we know is that his loyalists are gathered and preventing others from gaining access.

“It’s not only OGD they bounced. As long as you are not Dapo Abiodun’s loyalist. They threatened Otunba Onayemi, a former local government chairman, and former chairmen also expected to be part of the caucus meeting,” he said.

As of the time of reporting, the APC state publicity secretary, Femi Nuberu, had not responded to inquiries.

Sources indicated that party leaders at the meeting may be considering endorsing a consensus candidate for the Ogun East senatorial district ahead of the next election.

The development comes amid a growing political rivalry between Daniel and Governor Abiodun over the 2027 senatorial ticket.

Ex-gov, Gbenga Daniel denied access to Ogun East APC meeting

Nigeria is one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital markets, with a large and steadily expanding internet user base. A significant majority of users access the web through mobile devices, making smartphones the primary gateway to online content and entertainment. From social media to video streaming, and increasingly gaming, mobile-first behaviorcontinues to shape how Nigerians spend their time online.

However, despite improvements in connectivity, certain limitations still influence how digital content is consumed. Mobile data remains a recurring expense for many users, often purchased in small, controlled amounts rather than through unlimited plans. At the same time, entry-level and mid-range smartphones continue to dominate a large share of the market, meaning storage space and device performance are often constrained.

These factors directly affect mobile gaming habits. Many modern mobile games require large downloads, frequent updates, and significant storage capacity. It is not uncommon for a single title to take up hundreds of megabytes, and in some cases, several gigabytes of space. For users balancing multiple apps, photos, and videos on their devices, installing such games is not always practical.

As a result, a gradual shift toward browser-based gaming is becoming more visible. Instead of downloading apps, users are increasingly accessing games directly through their mobile browsers. This approach removes the need for installations, reduces storage pressure, and allows users to move from discovery to gameplay with minimal delay.

Platforms like Y8 are part of this ecosystem, where a wide variety of games can be accessed through a browser without requiring installation. This model aligns closely with the needs of users who prefer quick and flexible access to entertainment.

Another important factor behind this shift is changing user behavior. Casual gaming has increasingly moved toward shorter, more flexible sessions. Rather than committing to long periods of play, many users now prefer quick experiences that fit into small gaps in their daily routines.

In Nigeria, this pattern is particularly relevant. Whether during commutes, study breaks, or moments between tasks, short gaming sessions are becoming more common. Games that can be started and stopped easily without long loading times or complex onboarding processes are naturally better suited to these habits.

Fast-loading, skill-based games are leading this trend. Titles like Slope, a reflex-driven endless runner, and Moto X3M, a physics-based bike racing game, have gained attention for their simplicity and immediate gameplay. Both games focus on quick interaction, allowing players to engage instantly without extended setup or tutorials.

Both titles can be found on platforms such as Y8, where they are commonly played through a browser.

One of the defining advantages of browser gaming in markets like Nigeria is accessibility. These games do not require high-end hardware or large amounts of storage, making them compatible with a wide range of devices, including older smartphones. This lowers the barrier to entry and allows more users to participate, regardless of their device specifications.

In addition to device compatibility, browser games generally reduce the need for large upfront data usage. While overall data consumption depends on usage patterns, the ability to start playing without downloading large files makes these games more practical for users who manage their data carefully.

Browser-based access also removes several layers of friction associated with traditional app-based gaming. There is no need to visit app stores, wait for installations, or manage frequent updates. For users seeking immediate access, this streamlined experience can be more appealing than traditional alternatives.

This shift is not limited to Nigeria. Across the global gaming industry, there is growing interest in lightweight, easily accessible experiences. While high-end console and mobile games continue to dominate headlines, simpler and faster-loading games maintain a steady and widespread audience.

Platforms such as Y8 reflect this broader trend by focusing on browser-based access and quick gameplay experiences that prioritize convenience.

Another aspect contributing to the growth of browser gaming is ease of discovery. Users can explore multiple games within a short period, trying different genres without committing to downloads. This encourages experimentation and allows players to find content that matches their preferences more efficiently.

For students, this model offers a flexible way to engage with games without affecting device performance or storage. For working professionals, it provides a convenient option for short breaks during the day. In both cases, the ability to access and exit games quickly plays a significant role in adoption.

As mobile usage continues to grow and internet access expands further, the demand for fast and accessible digital experiences is expected to increase. Browser gaming fits naturally into this environment, offering a practical alternative to more resource-intensive forms of gaming.

Looking ahead, this shift is likely to continue as users prioritize efficiency, convenience, and flexibility in their digital habits. The ability to access games instantly, without downloads or ongoing maintenance, is becoming an increasingly important factor in how people choose to engage with entertainment.

In this context, browser gaming is no longer just an alternative. It is becoming an integral part of how users interact with games, particularly in mobile-first markets where accessibility and ease of use are key considerations.

No downloads, no stress: Why instant browser games are growing in Nigeria