Blog

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent comments on Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement, accusing him of attempting to upend the North-South zoning formula ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a strongly worded statement, Onanuga said Atiku’s position threatens the long-standing rotational understanding, warning that the former presidential candidate risks repeating what he described as a political miscalculation that contributed to his defeat in 2023.

He recalled that during the last general election, Atiku, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, ignored the party’s zoning principle by contesting to succeed a fellow northerner after eight years in office.

This action he said, deepened internal divisions within the party and weakened its electoral chances.

Onanuga also described Atiku as a “perennial candidate,” warning that pursuing the presidency again in 2027 could lead to another defeat.

Reacting to Atiku’s Wednesday interview on Arise Television, Onanuga dismissed the former Vice President’s claim that the South has held power longer than the North since 1999 as “dubious” and self-serving.

He argued that the North’s shorter time in office was not by design but the result of the untimely death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which led to the constitutional succession of Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, that development does not invalidate the principle of rotational presidency between the two regions.

Onanuga further insisted that following the completion of eight years in office by former President Muhammadu Buhari, the current administration under President Bola Tinubu must also be allowed to complete its tenure in line with the zoning understanding.

He urged Atiku to shelve any fresh presidential ambition and respect the rotational arrangement, maintaining that 2027 remains the turn of the South.

“Once again, Abubakar Atiku has put forward a self-serving argument to justify his attempt to disrupt Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement. In 2023, as a member of the PDP, a party that, like others, practices zoning, Atiku disregarded the established formula and sought to succeed a fellow northerner, who had spent eight years in office.

“His ambition fractured the PDP, leading to his resounding defeat at the polls. Now, he stands poised to repeat history and face another doom. Another spectacular failure awaits this perennial candidate in the next election.

“In his interview with Charles Aniagolu on Wednesday, Atiku, now sounding like the presumed ADC candidate (Peter Obi, get ready to bolt away), revisited his 2023 argument on the North-South power rotation.

“In a brazenly self-serving twist, he insisted he is not bound by the rotation formula because, according to him, the South has spent more years in office than the North since 1999. His political arithmetic is dubious.

“He conveniently overlooks the fact that the North’s shorter tenure was due to the untimely death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, which led to President Jonathan’s succession. This accidental breach does not invalidate the power rotation arrangement between the North and the South.

“Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own. All Atiku needs to do is to bury the thought of running again, as it is still the South’s turn in the 2027 election,” Onanuga wrote.

Onanuga Advises Atiku To Drop Presidential Bid For Tinubu is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

There was a moment of tension between the Real Madrid duo of Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, as they crashed out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The incident happened before Eduardo Camavinga was shown a second yellow card.

Vinicius picked up the ball and dribbled towards goal in the 83rd minute, while Bellingham ran into the penalty area asking for a pass.

But Vinicius’ poor touch saw him quickly closed down by Dayot Upamecano and, unable to make the pass, he incensed Bellingham, who made his frustrations clear to the Brazilian.

Vinicius was then caught on camera responding to Bellingham angrily: “What do you want? What do you want? Shut up and close your mouth.”

Madrid were leading 3-2 with the tie level at 4–4 on aggregate when Camavinga was dismissed for delaying a free-kick.

Los Blancos were punished moments later, with Luis Diaz and Michael Olise scoring to secure their safe passage to the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

UCL: Shut your mouth – Vinicius Jr tells Bellingham as Real Madrid crashes out

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba, David Sabo Kente, has explained why he

South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has been handed a five-year direct imprisonment sentence after being found guilty of breaking the country’s firearm laws.

The sentence was delivered at the East London Regional Court, where Malema had appeared for a second day of sentencing proceedings.

He was convicted on five counts last October, including violations of the Firearms Control Act, stemming from an incident in which he fired live rounds during his party’s birthday celebrations back in 2018.

Magistrate Twanet Olivier, in handing down her ruling before a packed courtroom, noted that she had carefully reviewed all material presented by the defence before reaching her decision.

Among the factors she weighed were the gravity of the offence and the fact that Malema had no prior convictions.

The magistrate firmly rejected the defence’s framing of the gunfire as merely “celebratory shots,” calling that characterization nonsensical. She argued the act was clearly premeditated, not impulsive, and that Malema was fully aware his actions were unlawful.

Within minutes of the sentence being read out, Malema’s legal team filed for leave to appeal the decision. If the sentence is ultimately upheld following all appeals, it would disqualify him from serving as a lawmaker, a potentially devastating blow to the EFF, which commands strong backing among younger South Africans who remain frustrated by the racial inequalities that have persisted since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Ahead of the ruling, Malema struck a defiant tone when addressing supporters outside the courthouse, declaring that no sentence could silence his ideas or his movement.

He has maintained throughout the trial that the charges were politically motivated, brought by Afriforum, a lobby group representing the Afrikaner minority, with whom he has long been at odds.

The EFF is currently the fourth-largest political party in South Africa. Malema is a deeply polarising figure, known for his party’s positions on land expropriation without compensation and the nationalisation of key industries.

South African Opposition Leader Malema Jailed For Five Years is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, has ordered the deployment of officers and intelligence equipment to all approved computer-based test (CBT) centres for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the state.

The command said the measure, in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, is aimed at ensuring a safe, secure and conducive environment for candidates, examination officials and other stakeholders throughout the examination period.

The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, on Thursday, said officers deployed for this assignment have been directed to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, civility and vigilance while taking firm action against any form of examination malpractice, disorderly conduct or security breach.

It also stated that the officers are to work with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective security of examination centres, adjoining areas and access routes.

Fatai urged candidates, parents, guardians and the general public to cooperate fully with security personnel and adhere strictly to all examination guidelines to guarantee a seamless and hitch-free exercise. He also reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across the State.

The commissioner further urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870 and 09168630929.

The 2026 UTME, organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), commenced on April 16, in all the 36 states across the country, and will run through Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The Nigerian Police Force had on Tuesday, April 14, deployed a rapid response team across examination centres nationwide.

UTME 2026: Lagos CP Deploys Policemen Across Exam Centres is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Following the expected flooding in parts of the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory on a heightened risk of cholera and other disease outbreaks.

Several states, according to the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), may experience heavy rainfall and flooding between April 13 and 17, 2026.

States listed as high-risk include Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Kwara.

NCDC warned that flooding could trigger outbreaks of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases, as well as increase cases of malaria, infections from contaminated water, injuries and disruptions to healthcare services.

The agency appealed to residents in affected areas to take preventive measures, including drinking only safe water, either boiled or chlorinated, maintaining proper hand hygiene and avoiding contact with floodwaters.

It also advised proper food storage, improved sanitation practices and the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to reduce the risk of malaria.

The agency stated, “Individuals experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting or fever should seek immediate medical attention.”

The NCDC also called on community leaders to intensify public awareness campaigns, promote sanitation, ensure access to clean water and encourage early reporting of suspected illness.

It noted that it is working with state governments to strengthen disease surveillance, preparedness and emergency response efforts to mitigate the potential health impact of the predicted floods.

The advisory comes amid growing concerns over the public health implications of seasonal flooding, which has historically led to disease outbreaks in vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

NCDC warns of cholera risk, other outbreaks as NiMET predicts flooding

Saudi Arabia has reduced Nigeria’s Hajj quota, forcing the Zamfara State Hajj Commission to drop 456 intending pilgrims from the 2026 pilgrimage. The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Musa Mallaha, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Wednesday. He explained that the development reduced Zamfara State’s […]

Sam Amadi, a former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has called for the arrest of a Northern Islamic cleric captured in a viral video calling for the beheading of a Christian clergy.

DAILY POST reports that a video clip wildly circulated on social media a few days ago, revealed a moment the cleric called for the killing of the pastor for allegedly insulting the holy Prophet.

The Islamic clergy also placed a N1 million bounty on the alleged blasphemer, flaunting some cash in the viral video, which he promised to give to the killer when the job is done.

The disturbing footage drew the attention of social media users, raising fears over the potential escalation of religious tensions, particularly in the Northern part of the country.

Reacting, Amadi in a post on his X handle on Thursday, called for the arrest of the violence instigator, stating that “Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a theocracy”.

He wrote, “Warning to the Nigerian Government: There is a pastor said to have spoken something about a religion that is said to be ‘blasphemous’.

“Someone, a religious leader has placed a bounty on his head. He has promised N1m to whoever kills that pastor.

“This is a crime. This religious leader should be arrested and prosecuted.

“Furthermore, the Nigerian government ought to protect the pastor accused of blasphemy.

“For avoidance of doubt, blasphemy is not, cannot be a crime in Nigeria. Speaking against a prophet or any religious symbol does not give any person the right to threaten the life of another person.

“I am assuming Nigeria is a rule of law, constitutional democracy as it’s constitution says it is”.

Sam Amadi fumes as Islamic cleric places bounty on pastor’s head over ‘blasphemy’

Stakeholders in Akure, on Thursday, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare delivery with the commissioning of major projects at Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in support of its newly established teaching hospital. The newly commissioned projects, a modern laboratory equipment for the College of Health Sciences and a 50-bed medical hostel, […]

The International Society for Civil Rights and Rule of Law, Intersociety has condemned the exclusion of Nigeria from Pope Leo’s ongoing visit to some African countries.

The organization described the development as a fundamental omission.

Intersociety, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, expressed sadness over exclusion of “Super Catholic/Christian States: Congo DRC, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia And Kenya” from the visit.

The statement was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head Intersociety, Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, Head, Dept. of Campaign and Publicity, Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Head, Dept. of Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Engr. Ekene Bede Umeagu, Head, Dept. of Int’l Freedom of Religion and Worship.

It said the development highlights other fundamental missing points and reforms, including “demanding for appointment of four Cardinal-Electors for Uganda and Kenya (two each), two each for Cameroon, Angola and Tanzania; and three each for Congo DRC and Nigeria to encourage, strengthen and save Africa’s largest but severely threatened Catholicism and Christianity.”

The rights group expressed hope that as Pope Leo preaches World Peace, it should not translate to “Peace of The Christian Graveyard, Jews and other Peaceful Religions and other religious minorities, especially in the hands of global Islamic Jihadists who have consistently vowed to continue to target Christians and Jews until they are converted or hacked to death”.

It stressed that “more concrete reforms are very strongly and urgently needed to strategically and strongly reposition the Mother Church as the common umbrella and “General Overseer of the global Christendom”.

“Among such reforms needed are ‘Charity Must Begin at Home Reforms’, including tasking Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin to sit up or resign, as was similarly the case in the April 10, 2026 resignation of Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna of the Mozambique’s Archdiocese of Beira and Archbishop Pascalis Bruno Sukur, who declined an early 2026 appointment by Pope Leo XIV as a cardinal, choosing to remain in his role as Bishop of Bogor in Indonesia.

“Exclusion Of Africa’s Five Super Catholic States From Pope’s Maiden Visit: We have observed a fundamental omission in the Holy Father’s African visit, covering only countries of Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea; excluding super Catholic/Christian populated countries of Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya-with combined Catholic population of estimated 141m, as well as Ethiopia-Africa’s third largest Christian State with 77m.

“Out of the four countries pencilled down for papal visit, only Angola has a large Catholic population of about 10m as against Cameroon’s 9m Catholics and Equatorial Guinea’s 1.4m Catholics.

“Our careful study of the current patterns and trends of genocidal attacks by Islamic jihadists against Christians in Africa has clearly indicated that except Cameroon, Catholics and general Christian population face less jihadist threats and attacks in Angola and Equatorial Guinea than the five major Catholic countries of Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya and allied others like Ethiopia.

“From available records, Algeria is partly populated by just 4,200 Catholics with a serving Cardinal, out of an estimated 100,000 Christians in the country of estimated 47m and Africa’s largest landmass country of 2.382m km2.

“Algeria is only consoled and included in the papal visit by the fact that it is the country of birth of the Biblical Saint Augustine.

“While we hold no grudges against the choice of the four African countries, the five most threatened and attacked African countries ought to have been included in the itinerary of the Pope.

“The five affected Africa’s Super Catholic States included: Congo DRC-with estimated 55m Catholics and 115m Christians, Nigeria-with 30m-35m Catholics and 113m Christians, Tanzania-with 19m Catholics and 31m Christians, Uganda-with 18m Catholics and 30m Christians and Kenya-with 18m Catholics and 40m Christians-totaling 141m Catholics and 329m Christians, in addition to Ethiopia-with estimated 77m Christians; also one of the Africa’s oldest Christian countries.

As a matter of fact, these six African countries should have been scheduled as “First Among Equals” in the Pope Leo XIV’s maiden African visit, more so when such Holy Father’s visit is importantly and urgently needed to encourage and strength the Christian faith believers in dangerous places like Nigeria, Congo DRC, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya where if extreme care is not taken, their teeming Catholic and other Christian populations will not only be wiped out by local and ISIS and ISIL-linked Islamic jihadists in the next 50-100 years but their incoming generations will no longer have traces of Christianity and Christian names linked to their lineages.

“Another fundamental missing point was the imbalanced appointment of Catholic Cardinals in Africa-especially countries with large Catholic population. These countries have been grappling with an inadequate number of “Cardinal-Electors” (those under 80 years’ old who exercise voting right during papal conclave and other cardinal decisions.

“We hereby call for appointment of two new Cardinal-Electors for Nigeria, specifically to be appointed from the country’s North-East, especially among Catholic Dioceses in Taraba State, as well as from among Catholic Dioceses in Benue State.

“Going by our recent findings, there are very brave and bold Catholic Bishops in the area that have stood their grounds against widespread Jihadist Fulani and their allied Boko Haram and Fulani Bandits’ attacks including massacre of thousands of members of their Catholic Faith and destruction of hundreds of churches, especially since 2015 till date.

“For internationally speaking out in USA in March 2025, Bishop Anagbe was targeted and his village razed and dozens of his kinsmen and women massacred by Fulani Jihadists. More than 90,000 Catholics have been forced to flee, with hundreds killed and dozens of church parishes razed or sacked in Wukari Diocese in 2024 till this date of April 2026 alone; likewise, in Makurdi Diocese where hundreds have been killed and dozens of parishes razed or sacked.

“There are 60 Catholic Dioceses in Nigeria, including 59 full-fledged Dioceses and a Suffragan, located in Ibadan, Oyo State, out of which 27 are presently dying and 17 inches away from diocesan emptiness.

Pope’s exclusion of Nigeria, others from Africa visit fundamental omission – Intersociety