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The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has pledged that the state will deliver 95 per cent of its votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the President deserves a second term in office in recognition of the far-reaching economic reforms initiated by his administration.

Governor Abiodun gave the assurance on Friday during a strategic meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the Presidential Lodge, Ibara, Abeokuta.

The governor noted that the reforms introduced by President Tinubu have helped to reposition the nation’s economy and lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth and development.

He also commended members of the APC in Ogun State for conducting peaceful and crisis-free primary elections, saying the state had distinguished itself from others through the orderly and transparent process.

According to him, the success of the primaries was made possible by the high level of unity, maturity, and discipline displayed by party faithful.

“Our primary election was inclusive, transparent, and fair. This was made possible by the commitment and mutual trust among our leaders. Such a process has never happened in the history of our state.

“We sat down, discussed, and chose our candidates without rancour. It underscores the exemplary political maturity that exists in Ogun State. Though many people contested, only one person could emerge. Those who aspired, contested, and later stepped down in the interest of party unity are the unsung heroes of this process,” he said.

Speaking on the choice of a running mate for the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, ahead of the 2027 general elections, Governor Abiodun disclosed that the party had unanimously zoned the position of deputy governor to Ogun East Senatorial District, specifically the Ijebu axis, considering that the governorship candidate is from Ogun West Senatorial District.

“We recognise the need to commence political activities in earnest, and only one key position remains to be filled—the office of the Deputy Governor. We therefore consulted widely with party leaders and agreed that the position should go to Ogun East.

“Since I have emerged as the senatorial candidate for Ogun East and I am from Remoland, it was decided that the Ijebu people should produce the Deputy Governor.

“We have also substantially agreed on the area within Ijebuland from which the candidate should emerge, and that is the Ijebu-Ode Federal Constituency. That was one of the major reasons for today’s meeting,” he stated.

The governor congratulated the people of Ogun West Senatorial District on producing the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming election, noting that his administration had broken the over 50-year jinx of the district not producing a governorship candidate since the creation of the state.

Governor Abiodun described the development as a major milestone in the state’s political history and a demonstration of the APC’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and equitable power-sharing among the three senatorial districts.

He further stated that his administration would deploy technology-driven solutions to tackle banditry and kidnapping while strengthening security across the state. He stressed that the people deserve a robust security architecture capable of protecting lives and property, particularly children who represent the future of society.

The governor noted that, having invested heavily in infrastructure development across the state, his administration would now place greater emphasis on human capital development and social investment programmes aimed at cushioning the effects of the current economic challenges on residents.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the people and ensuring that the dividends of democracy are felt across all sectors of the state.

In his welcome address, the State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, also commended party members for their exemplary conduct during and after the primaries. 

He noted that the meeting was convened to strategise on securing victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.

2027: Ogun will deliver 95% of votes for Tinubu – Abiodun

A truck driver has died while his assistant sustained injuries in a lone accident involving a 40-foot containerised articulated vehicle along the Isheri Elemu-Ijegun corridor in Lagos.

The driver died at the scene after he was trapped beneath the truck, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA confirmed that the motor boy was rescued by emergency responders and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Taofiq said preliminary findings showed that the empty articulated truck suddenly lost stability while in motion and overturned, leading to the crash.

LASTMA said its Rescue and Recovery Unit responded to the scene, recovered the driver’s body and evacuated the injured assistant for medical attention.

“The unfortunate incident resulted in the immediate death of the driver, who became trapped beneath the overturned truck and succumbed instantly to the impact of the crash.

“The motor boy accompanying the deceased, however, survived the accident with multiple injuries and fractures and was promptly rescued and evacuated to a nearby medical facility for urgent medical attention.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the articulated truck, which was not carrying any cargo suddenly lost stability while in motion and overturned, leading to the devastating accident,” LASTMA said in a statement.

The agency added that its personnel secured the accident scene, managed traffic flow and coordinated emergency operations to prevent secondary crashes and ensure the safety of other road users.

It also noted that officers of the Isheri Osun Police Division provided security support during the rescue and recovery operation.

A heavy-duty crane and a flatbed recovery truck were deployed to remove the overturned vehicle and clear the wreckage from the road to restore normal traffic flow.

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr Bakare-Oki Olalekan, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased driver and wished the injured motor boy a speedy recovery.

Olalekan also reiterated the need for routine mechanical inspections and proper maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles, particularly articulated trucks operating on Lagos roads.

He said critical components such as braking systems, steering mechanisms, tyres and suspension assemblies should undergo regular professional checks to prevent avoidable accidents.

Truck Driver Dies In Lagos Container Accident is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigerian Army has announced that its troops from the Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai have continue to assert their dominance on the battlefield, achieving significant operational successes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and criminality in the North East region.

The army said that it has arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunition in the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

A statement released via its social media platform indicated that, acting on reliable intelligence, the troops executed a meticulously planned operation along a recognized criminal corridor in Magumeri. This operation resulted in the capture of five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate that has been terrorizing innocent civilians in the vicinity.

During the course of the operation, the troops confiscated two AK-47 rifles, along with magazines and ammunition, effectively disrupting the operational capabilities of the criminal network and preventing the suspects from carrying out further violent acts.

Preliminary investigations, as stated, suggest that the suspects are connected to kidnapping and various other criminal activities in certain areas of Borno State.

The detained individuals are currently in custody and are cooperating with security agencies in ongoing investigations aimed at identifying additional members of the syndicate and dismantling their support systems.

The statement emphasized that this successful operation underscores the unwavering dedication of the Nigerian Army to protect lives and property while maintaining offensive measures against terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements that pose a threat to national security.

The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to ensuring enduring peace, security, and stability throughout the nation.

Insecurity: Troops arrest suspected kidnappers, recover weapons in Borno

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, has unveiled a mobile application and electronic card system aimed at reducing patient waiting time and improving healthcare service delivery.

The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi Koli, said the innovation, known as the DHS Mobile App and DHS SmartQueue System, is designed to provide digital healthcare solutions that will streamline patient flow and enhance access to medical services.

According to him, the SmartQueue System introduces a structured and transparent queuing process that allows patients to obtain electronic queue tickets and receive services in an orderly manner.

He noted that the system is expected to ease congestion in waiting areas, improve clinic operations, boost patient satisfaction, and provide real-time data for monitoring service delivery and decision-making.

Koli said the solutions were recently demonstrated and piloted at the Family Medicine Department’s General Outpatient Unit (GOPU) during a technical presentation attended by hospital management and staff.

Speaking on the development, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Yusuf Bara Jibrin, described the initiative as a significant milestone in ATBUTH’s digital transformation drive and a demonstration of its commitment to delivering efficient, patient-centred healthcare services.

He explained that the pilot phase at the General Outpatient Department would enable the hospital to assess the effectiveness of the system before extending it to other departments and service points.

Jibrin disclosed that the DHS Mobile App is currently available on the Google Play Store and will soon be launched on the Apple App Store.

He said the platform enables patients to book appointments, access healthcare services and make payments remotely, particularly for amenity services.

“The app is presently in its pilot phase and requires a DHS e-Card for access. Patients are advised to visit the hospital for registration and additional information,” he said.

The CMD further revealed that telemedicine services are being integrated into the platform and will soon become operational, allowing patients to consult healthcare professionals remotely and improving access to specialist care.

He said the introduction of the DHS Mobile App and SmartQueue System aligns with the hospital’s vision of leveraging technology to improve healthcare accessibility, efficiency, accountability and overall patient experience.

Explaining the e-Card system, the hospital stated that the DHS e-Card is an upgraded version of the traditional patient card issued during registration.

While newly registered patients automatically receive the card, those registered before the implementation of the DHS Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system on November 22, 2024, are required to renew their registration and obtain the new card to access the full benefits of the digital platform.

The hospital also noted that whilst the mobile application is expected to significantly reduce waiting time by enabling electronic appointment booking and payments, queues at clinics and other service points may still persist temporarily as the system is gradually integrated into routine operations.

ATBUTH launches mobile app, e-card for digital healthcare access

Former Senegal coach, Alain Giresse, has tipped his country to go all the way to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

At the 2022 edition in Qatar, Morocco became the first African team to achieve the feat.

In an interview with Wiw Sport, Giresse noted that the Teranga Lions have the raw potential to make the last four.

“I think that one day, an African country will play in the final. If we’re talking about Senegal, it has the potential to at least reach the semi-finals.

“Of course, we know there can be unforeseen events during matches, but intrinsically, the potential is there. We see that African teams are increasingly displaying a level that is approaching the top and the best rankings in the world,” Giresse said.

Senegal are in Group I, alongside Norway, Iraq and France.

2026 World Cup: Giresse names African country to reach semi-finals

Ghana has suffered a major blow ahead of their first World Cup game in Toronto as their midfielder Thikas Partey has been denied entry to Canada, The Athletic reports.

Ghana is set to face Panama on Wednesday in their World Cup opener at Toronto’s BMO Field.

However, Partey cannot travel to Canada and therefore will not be able to feature against Panama.

The Canadian government website outlines that, “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”

Partey has been charged with sexual assault recently, but he is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.

The former Arsenal star had denied the charges.

World Cup 2026: Ghana suffer major blow as Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada

A solemn gathering marked the unveiling of the Yelewata Genocide Memorial Monument on Friday, as community members, church leaders and international advocates paid tribute to victims of the June 13 and 14, 2025 attacks on Yelewata, a farming community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The monument was unveiled by the Chief Executive Officer of Equipping the Persecuted (ETP), Mr Judd Saul, and facilitated by legal practitioner and Knight of Columbus, Franc Utoo.

According to organisers, the memorial bears the names of more than 270 victims reportedly killed during the attacks and was erected to ensure their memories are permanently preserved.

Speaking during the ceremony, Saul described the monument as a symbol of remembrance and a call for greater attention to the plight of affected communities.

He said the memorial was intended to honour those who lost their lives and to reinforce ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at ending violence and supporting victims.

Saul reaffirmed Equipping the Persecuted’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, solidarity with affected communities and engagement with policymakers internationally on issues relating to violence and displacement.

The ETP delegation was received by the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, who reiterated concerns about proposals to permanently resettle displaced persons away from their ancestral communities.

According to the bishop, returning displaced residents to their ancestral lands remains the most sustainable long-term solution to the crisis.

He argued that permanent relocation could raise questions about ownership and access to ancestral farmlands and community heritage.

Bishop Anagbe also commended ETP for its support to victims and vulnerable communities affected by violence.

Speaking on the significance of the project, Franc Utoo said the monument serves as a historical record and a reminder of the human cost of violence.

According to him, preserving the names of victims ensures future generations remember what happened and reinforces the need to prevent similar tragedies.

The unveiling forms part of activities marking the first anniversary of the attacks.

A memorial service is expected to be held on June 13, led by Bishop Anagbe alongside bishops, priests and pastors in honour of those who lost their lives.

Yelewata genocide memorial unveiled, honours 270 victims

Real Madrid defender, Eder Militao, has given his views on the return of Jose Mourinho to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid announced on Thursday the appointment of Mourinho as the club’s new manager.

The Portuguese signed a three-year contract with the Los Blancos, having previously coached the club in the past from 2010 to 2013.

Speaking about the return of Mourinho, Militao told SportyBet: “He is a great manager. I’m looking forward to next season.

“On a personal level, life has its ups and downs. The important thing is to be mentally well. If your head is in the right place and you’re good with your family, everything flows better.”

Real Madrid: Militao gives verdict on Mourinho’s return

Former Tottenham Hotspur star, Rafael van der Vaart, has criticized England manager Thomas Tuchel for his ‘strange’ choice to include two ‘overrated’ Arsenal players – Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze – in his World Cup squad and dropping Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

Van der Vaart feels the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach made a mistake by not including Palmer in the Three Lions squad for the World Cup.

“When I’m watching the squad, I think [Eberechi] Eze and [Noni] Madueke are overrated,” Van der Vaart stated to AceOdds.

“Madueke isn’t playing for Arsenal, and Eze is only playing sometimes. I think they are just a bit overrated.

“I mean, Madueke is still a good player. I also know him very well from when he played at PSV.

“The only thing I just really don’t understand is that Cole Palmer was not selected. That is a very strange choice.”

World Cup: Van der Vaart knocks Tuchel over Chelsea star, two overrated Arsenal players in England squad

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his nation’s first World Cup game in Toronto against Panama, after being denied entry to Canada.

Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

He is due to stand trial next year.

In a statement, FIFA confirmed the former Arsenal player, who is now with Spanish side Villarreal, will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston after having his “visa application was refused by the Canadian government”.

World football’s governing body, added: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.

“The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”

On the Canadian government website rules around visiting the country state: “If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”

Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.

Prior to the tournament, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz, said he had no qualms over selecting Partey, who was at Atletico Madrid before moving to London in 2020 to join the Gunners.

“If the player is here with me, my answer is clear,” said Queiroz.

“I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?

“This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.

“Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth.”

Canada Denies Partey Visa For Ghana’s World Cup Opener is first published on The Whistler Newspaper