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Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has given an assurance that he will not impose any candidate on the people in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

The Governor spoke during the solemnization of the holy matrimony between his younger brother Paulinus Nwifuru and heartthrob, Immaculata at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki.

“I have not made up my mind to support anybody except President Bola Tinubu who has demonstrated love and support to us as a state as well as Goodluck Obinna Mbam of the State House of Assembly whom the constituents have equally endorsed.”

He called on aspirants to be mindful of their conduct and comments to avoid overheating the polity, urging them to align their fates with destiny.

“You can only be there, when God says so. Let us be calm, let us be humble” the Governor advised.
The Governor disclosed that he will meet with Stakeholders of the State to discuss how to achieve a seamless electoral process.

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by his chief press secretary, Dr Monday Uzor and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.

“We will start zonal meetings on Wednesday” it will run “Thursday and Friday when I might have finished meeting with the leaders of the state”.

“We will discuss the Senate, House of Representative, State House of Assembly and Governorship.
“We will not discuss the President’s position, because that one is a no go area. We have only one Presidential candidate, which is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“He is the only president who has started a project here and will commission it. We are giving him our votes a hundred percent”.

2027: Governor Nwifuru dismisses rumours of candidates imposition

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is set to chair a national summit of opposition political leaders holding in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Leaders from major opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are converging on Ibadan for the summit aimed at strengthening unity and coordination ahead of future elections.

The meeting, scheduled to hold at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, is themed “That We May Work Together For A United Opposition To Sustain Our Democracy.”

Organisers say it is a strategic response to Nigeria’s prevailing socio-economic and security challenges.

A statement shared on PDP’s official page on Saturday, confirmed that Obasanjo would be chairing the event, with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde as host.

Opposition leaders who have already arrived in Ibadan for the summit, include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri

According to the organisers, the summit is expected to focus on fostering collaboration among opposition blocs and developing a coordinated political strategy ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

Among speakers lined up for the event are former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu and former federal lawmaker, Usman Bugaje, who will address issues of democracy and governance.

A former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Mike Igini, is expected to present a paper on credible elections, while political economist, Prof Pat Utomi will speak on building a productive national economy.

Security expert, Mallam Kabir Adamu is also billed to examine the challenges of widespread insecurity across the country.

Obasanjo Chairs Opposition Leaders’ Summit As Atiku, Obi, Others Parley is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Fire has razed a police station and three residential buildings in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The police station, according to sources, is located at Kara in Akinyele local government area of the state.

DAILY POST reports that a patrol van, motorcycles and other items were affected.

Meanwhile, three residential buildings located in three different areas within Ibadan were also razed, on Friday.

The ground floor of one of the buildings located at No.19, Omigade street, Robert junction, Ososami in Ibadan.

A residential building in the Moniya area and another at the Alakia area were also affected by the fire.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande confirmed the incidents.

On the police station, Akinwande said, “On getting to the scene, it was a patrol van and seven motorcycles that were engulfed by fire. Our officers quickly launched a coordinated attack, restricted the fire from spreading to the police station’s building and other properties”.

Akinwande also confirmed the fire incidents at the residential areas, informing that his men took charge of each situation and brought the fires under control.

Fire razes police station, three residential buildings in Ibadan

Management of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, (KWASUTH), Ilorin, has instituted legal action through a petition to the Commissioner of Police Kwara State, leading to the arraignment of two individuals at the Magistrate Court for allegedly assaulting medical personnel while they were carrying out their lawful duties at the hospital.

Chief Medical Director, of the facility, Bola Ahmed Abdulkadir, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in his office in Ilorin.

According to him, the action taken by the hospital management was aimed at addressing the growing incidents of assault on healthcare workers and to serve as a deterrent to others.

The suspects, Abdulsalam Hamzat and Adetunji Victoria, were alleged to have assaulted medical personnel while they were discharging their official responsibilities within the hospital premises.

He explained that the suspects were arraigned before a Magistrate Court presided over by M. G. Olujide.

The court, however, granted them bail following an oral application by their counsel, Toyin Mohammed Onaolapo, who argued that the alleged offences were not capital in nature and are therefore bailable under the relevant provisions of the law.

Dr Abdulkadir, stated that the court admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of ₦100,000 each. In addition, each of them is required to provide two reliable adult sureties residing within the court’s jurisdiction and to submit affidavits of means.

He further revealed that the court directed the defendants to write formal letters of apology to the complainants through the Chief Medical Director of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, as well as submit written undertakings pledging that such conduct would not reoccur.

The Chief Medical Director reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing the matter diligently to its logical conclusion, noting that sustained prosecution would help curb the rising cases of assault on healthcare workers.

The case has been adjourned to the 22nd of next month for further hearing, according to a statement by Yakub Kamaldeen Aliagan, Head, Corporate Affairs, of the facility.

Two suspects arraigned for alleged assault of doctors in Kwara

Former Senate President, David Mark says Nigerians have lost confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mark, who is also the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Congress, ADC, said this on Saturday at a national summit of opposition political party leaders in Ibadan, hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

David Mark while addressing the gathering alleged that INEC has taken sides and is no longer an impartial umpire.

He claimed that both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC are working to suppress opposition political parties.

Mark called on all leaders of opposition political parties to come together to unseat the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

He said, “The task before us is more of a national rescue mission. The APC is willing to suppress the opposition political parties and opposition political figures.

“It has never happened in Nigeria that we have only one political party and it will never happen in our own generation. We cannot win as a fragmented segments.

“The contest is between Nigerians and APC, the ruling party. Nigerians have lost confidence in INEC. INEC is no longer an impartial umpire”.

Prominent leaders of opposition political parties at the meeting include former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, Aisha Yesufu and Professor Pat Utomi.

Others are former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwanso and Yunusa Tanko are there.

Former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatai Ahmed, former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amechi, former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu were also at the meeting.

2027: Nigerians have lost confidence in INEC – David Mark

A controversy has erupted over a land development agreement at Federal Government College Kano, with the school’s alumni raising concerns over what they describe as encroachment and a threat to students’ welfare.

At the centre of the dispute is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement that reportedly allocated about 33 hectares of the school’s land to a private developer, Pluck Global Construction Company, for infrastructure development.

While government officials have presented the deal as a strategic effort to upgrade aging facilities within the college, the alumni association, FGCKOSA, has strongly opposed the move, alleging that the agreement undervalues the land and compromises the integrity of the institution.

The alumni claim that the land involved in the swap is worth tens of billions of naira, while the proposed infrastructure projects—including a sports complex, health centre and classroom upgrades—are significantly lower in value.

They also expressed concerns over the safety implications of introducing a private estate within the school environment, warning that it could expose students to security risks and reduce access to critical recreational and communal spaces such as sports fields and worship centres.

The development has since taken a legal turn, with a Federal High Court reportedly ordering that the status quo be maintained pending the resolution of the dispute, effectively halting further construction on the site.

FGCKOSA President, Shoyinka Shodunke, said the association has petitioned anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, calling for a full investigation into the transaction.

The group has also written to President Bola Tinubu, urging the Federal Government to review and cancel the agreement.

As tensions rise, the alumni have warned prospective buyers and stakeholders to exercise caution, insisting that any transactions related to the disputed land remain subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

FGC Kano Alumni Protest Alleged Sale Of School Land is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Hon. Peter Chi‍gozie Azubuike, has emerged as the Stat‌e Chairman⁠ of the Labour‌ Part‌y through a‌ co‌nse‌nsus arrangeme‍nt at the party’s state cong⁠ress‍ held on Saturday.
⁠
The develo‍pm⁠ent signals a strategic consolidation within the party, as stakeho⁠lders‍ rallied b⁠e‌hind a figure long regarded for his grassroots strengt‌h, resili‌ence, and unw‌avering loyalty to the L‍abour Party’s ideals.

Hon. A‌zubuike,‌ who fl‌ew the pa‍rty’⁠s⁠ flag as⁠ the 2023 House of Ass‌embly candidate for Obing‌wa‍ East, has steadily built a reputation as a d‌epend‌able mobi‍lizer and a formidable political force within the state.

His‌ emerg‌enc⁠e by consensus underscores a rare moment of unity among part‍y lea‌ders a⁠nd delegates, reflecting con⁠fidenc‌e in his leadership capacity a‌t a time when the Labour Party continues to expand its influ‍ence across Abia.

Az‌ubu⁠ike Emer‌ges A⁠b‌ia La‌bo‌ur Party Ch‍ai‍rman‌ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola, has discharged a set of conjoined twins separated by its surgeons.

During the discharge ceremony of the twins on Saturday, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Bakari Girei Adamu, said the hospital found it worthy to celebrate the feat of successfully separating the twin boys because the procedure was performed by surgeons who are not only all Nigerians but internal surgeons of the hospital.

“It is heart warming that all the professionals are domiciled here,” he said, adding that the vision of the hospital is that Yola rises further as a centre of medical tourism, bringing people from across the country and beyond, with no resident ever needing to go out of Yola for medical care.

A former CMD of the hospital, now a paramount ruler, Dr Aliyu Damburam, the Ptil Madagali, who was chairman of the occasion, said that by its latest separation of conjoined twins, MAUTH Yola has once again proven itself to be a pillar of advanced medical care.

Dr Damburam, recalling that this is the hospital’s sixth separation of conjoined twins since 2013, said the institution is steadily reducing the incidence of foreign medical tourism.

The lead surgeon of the team that performed the separation of the latest conjoined twins, Professor Auwal Muhammad Abubakar, who is the immediate past CMD of the hospital, said the story of successful separation of conjoined twins in the hospital and other centres across the country is proof that Nigeria has the capacity if the right training is imparted and necessary facilities made available.

DAILY POST reports that the latest separation of the conjoined twins, Hassan and Hussain, was performed last month, March 9, after which they were placed on post-separation care.

The twins, brought from Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, received all their care — post-surgery examinations and observation, the surgery itself, and post-surgery care — free of charge, thanks to funding provided by the hospital management, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and other sources.

MAUTH Yola discharges successfully separated conjoined twins

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to the state to embrace skill acquisition and entrepreneurship during their service year.

The governor gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream II corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Gusau.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Nasiru Galadima Kaura, Lawal said corps members should make productive use of their service year by acquiring vocational skills and participating in entrepreneurship programmes.

He noted that such initiatives would help address youth restiveness and promote self-reliance among young Nigerians.

The governor also assured corps members of their safety, stating that his administration had put in place adequate security measures in collaboration with relevant agencies.

“We have put in place adequate measures, in collaboration with security agencies, to ensure that you are safe and well protected throughout your stay in Zamfara State,” he said.

Lawal further emphasised the importance of the NYSC scheme in fostering national unity, integration and development.

He urged the corps members to participate actively in all camp activities, particularly the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, programme, designed to equip them with practical skills.

“You must obey all camp rules and regulations, and uphold discipline, leadership, teamwork and patriotism, which the orientation course is meant to instill,” he added.

In his remarks, the Zamfara State NYSC Coordinator, Mallam Muhammad Lawan Ahmad, commended the governor for his continued support to the scheme and corps members in the state.

He noted that recent improvements in corps members’ allowances and logistics support at the orientation camp reflect the government’s commitment to their welfare.

Gov Lawal urges NYSC members to embrace skills acquisition

Ibom Air has donated 50,000 doses of anti-malaria medications to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health as part of efforts to reduce the disease burden among children and pregnant women in vulnerable communities.

The donation, presented on April 24, 2026, includes 30,000 doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine, 10,000 doses of Lokmal DT, and 10,000 doses of Paracetamol DT. The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, George Uriesi, led the presentation alongside members of the management team.

The drugs were received by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, on behalf of the state government.

According to a statement by Ibom Air’s Group Manager for Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, the initiative was carried out under the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, FAMPact (Fight Against Malaria in Pregnant Women and Children Today), in commemoration of the 2026 World Malaria Day.

Essienette noted that the intervention is the third consecutive year the airline has supported malaria control efforts, reflecting its commitment to healthcare as a key CSR focus.

She added that the donation aligns with this year’s World Malaria Day theme, “Driven to end malaria, Now we can, Now we must,” and is aimed at strengthening community-level prevention and treatment, particularly for high-risk groups.

As part of activities marking the global event, Ibom Air also organised a “Walk Against Malaria” awareness campaign in Uyo on April 25. The walk commenced at Ibom Plaza and featured public sensitisation, health education, and fitness sessions.

The event also had in attendance medical influencer Dr Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, who joined efforts to raise awareness on malaria prevention.

Malaria remains one of Nigeria’s leading public health challenges, with pregnant women and children under five among the most affected. Ibom Air said its continued interventions are designed to support government efforts to tackle the disease and improve health outcomes in affected communities.

Ibom Air Targets Vulnerable Groups With 50,000 Anti-Malaria Doses is first published on The Whistler Newspaper