The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s chances of securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2027 general elections, asserting it is unlikely to happen.

During a live media session on Wednesday evening in Abuja, Wike noted that Atiku has repeatedly shared his vision with Nigerians, who, in turn, have consistently rejected him.

Naija News reports that Atiku, who ran as the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, recently claimed that if he had won, his leadership approach would differ from President Bola Tinubu’s, and Nigerians would not be experiencing the current level of hardship.

Wike remarked, “Didn’t he (Atiku) present his blueprint to Nigerians? And did they choose him? Now he’s seeking another chance, but that opportunity won’t come. In which party? How can we rely on the same person for so many years?”

Referring to the American political landscape, Wike added, “Look at America—many opposed Trump, citing his controversial views, yet Americans made their decision based on what they believed was best for their country.”

He concluded, “In 2023, Nigerians listened to Atiku’s proposals and decided it wasn’t the right fit. Criticisms alone don’t signify that the opposition is truly resonating with the people.”

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate for the Ondo State governorship election set for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka and delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, ruled that “the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others is allowed.”

Justice Banjoko further announced that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be provided to all parties in due course for review.

Justice Abba Mohammed, concurring with the lead judgment, supported the panel’s decision.

This ruling reverses an earlier Federal High Court decision in Abuja, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the upcoming polls on November 16.

Previously, Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court had upheld the validity of a second Labour Party primary election, which produced Ebiseni and Awude as candidates, and ordered INEC to recognize and publish their names.

Justice Nwite’s judgment noted evidence of Ebiseni’s payment of N20 million for a nomination form and an additional N5 million paid to Festus Olorunfemi as compensation for his withdrawal from the race.

However, the appellate court’s recent decision has now invalidated the Federal High Court’s ruling, thereby disqualifying Ebiseni from the governorship race.

The new Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has shared some of the intriguing experiences that occurred during electioneering campaigns leading to his final emergence as a Governor.

Governor Okpebholo, who described the experience as a battle, said his victory can be attributed to God and the people of Edo State.

According to him, while opponents focused on television and social media, he trusted in God, who eventually gave him victory.

The Governor spoke at the post-swearing-in Thanksgiving Service held at the Samuel Ogbumudia Stadium in Benin.

Okpebholo, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, emphasized that he did not involve any native doctor or prophet or visit any diviner or shrine to seek help for help throughout the period of his electioneering, recounted how he met a dead bat on his bed on the Sunday after the election.

He said God fought the battle for him and urged the people of Edo State to always trust God.

He said, “I want to thank God. In this last election, while I was praising God, they (traducers) were busy operating from television. They were busy operating from social media. They were busy operating from other television stations.

“But, I took the battle to God because I knew the secret. A few days to the election, they said I was crazy. We gathered to praise God in this State. They said, “What is he doing?” They were there on TV. But, I was listening to the voice of God. I won the battle.

“After the election on Sunday morning, I came to my room. I met a bat had died on my bed, without me shooting any arrow. But, the spirit of God was there. The arrow of God; The hand of God delivered me.

“I am grateful to the men of God that stood in the gap. I am grateful to those who believed that with God, all things are possible. And I will give you one advice- trust in God alone because he will do it for you.”

Former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, has urged Nigerian leaders to strive towards creating effective governance in the country.

Naija News reports that Peller made the plea while recounting an incident that saw the prompt arrival of medical and security personnel after a man collapsed in the UK.

He said the situation is unlike what happens in Nigeria, noting that it is heartbreaking to see citizens flee the country due to system failure.

The former lawmaker called on Nigerian leaders to create a system where citizens strive and not just survive.

Shina Peller urged Nigerians not to lose hope and demand good leadership from the government for a better future.

He wrote, “SYSTEM FAILURE VS SYSTEM SUCCESS.

“I witnessed an eye-opening incident in Guildford, UK. A man collapsed on the high street, and within 5 minutes, the emergency response was swift and seamless.

“2 ambulances, 5 police cars from different departments including traffic police, and the well-coordinated team worked together to:

“Rescue the patient
“Divert traffic for smooth flow
”Secure the area
“Restore normalcy in 10 minutes

“As a Nigerian, this is a stark contrast to what we’re used to. It’s heartbreaking to see citizens fleeing our beloved country for greener pastures due to system failures.

“To the UK Government, thank you for showing us what effective governance looks like.

“To my fellow Nigerians and leaders, let this be a wake-up call. A functional system is not rocket science. It requires:

“Strategic planning
“Adequate funding
“Effective implementation

“Let’s work together to build a Nigeria where:

“Emergency services respond promptly
”Infrastructure supports growth
”Citizens thrive, not just survive

“To my fellow citizens, don’t lose hope. We can make Nigeria great. Let’s demand more from our leaders and work towards a better future.

“And to INEC and the judiciary, always come correct. I hope this post inspires meaningful conversations and sparks positive change in Nigeria.”

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has asked President Bola Tinubu to probe the alleged importation of adulterated petrol into the country.

Over the past weeks, there have been claims that some petrol marketers are importing adulterated petrol into the nation.

On November 3, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said any oil marketer selling petrol cheaper than the refiner is importing substandard products.

Dangote refinery made the claim after some oil marketers said the refiner’s product is higher than imported petrol.

On November 7, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited denied allegations that adulterated petrol was sold to a customer from one of its retail outlets in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Solomon Ola, ANPE president, asked Tinubu to urgently investigate the claims, noting that it could jeopardise the nation’s economy.

“Importation of the sanctioned-tainted petrol into Nigeria would no doubt have diplomatic consequences, bearing in mind the sanctions that the price cap coalition, comprising the European Union, the United States, the G7, and Australia, imposed on Russian-sourced crude and petroleum products,” the statement reads.

“The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has followed developments in Nigeria’s petroleum industry with concern, given the absurd positions being canvassed by some stakeholders regarding the safety of the country and citizens regarding the quality of products being retailed.

“ANPE has consequently decided to urge President Bola Tinubu, as a matter of national interest, to use his mandate as the country’s chief executive to halt the designation of Nigeria as a dumping ground for foreign-sourced tainted, adulterated, and questionable petroleum products.

“We are sad and alarmed by recent developments in Europe; from Russia to Malta and every part of Europe, our home country has become a lucrative destination for the dumping of adulterated petroleum products such as PMS, popularly known as petrol, which industry experts have tagged as fake fuel.

“Our association is concerned that the petroleum products in question are still being dumped in Nigeria even after industry experts have warned about their substandard nature, which poses material and economic risks to Nigerians whose vehicles and equipment could be damaged by dirty fuel.

“Fake fuel also has negative implications for the environment in addition to the associated dangers that the fumes from these products pose to public health, a situation that the Nigerian government would find exceptionally challenging since such a health burden would further stretch already lean public finances.

“In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Price Cap Coalition forbids transactions on crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin unless they are transacted at or below $60, a price band that the products imported into Nigeria routinely violate even when the products are of Russian origin.

“A third concern for our association is the absurdity of importing relatively pricier petrol into Nigeria when more affordable and quality options are available from local refineries.

“This insistence on flooding Nigeria with bad petrol is equally bad for the economy. It is actively sabotaging President Tinubu’s economic policy.”

The ANPE president said substandard petroleum products cannot be sold in other African countries and, as such, should not be imported into Nigeria.

“The collaborators of these European firms back in Nigeria collude to force these products on citizens of our dear nation for the sole purpose of profit-making,” he said.

Davido, the award-winning Nigerian singer, has expanded his business ventures into sports by launching a football club.

Lagos Liga, a Nigerian premier private football league, announced 30BG Sports Club’s unveiling on its Instagram page on Wednesday.

The football league disclosed that the club has been registered to compete in its upcoming season alongside 15 other teams.

“With Davido bringing his energy into Lagos Liga 2024, we have great assurance that if opponents are not careful, there is a timeless promise they could fall because this competition just got risky,” the post reads.

Lagos Liga said the league promises high-stakes matches for non-professional and veteran football players.

The competition is scheduled to begin in December, with a N50 million prize for the winning team.

The singer joins fellow Nigerian music industry giants in the league, including Don Jazzy, who owns Supremos FC, and D’banj, who owns Koko FC.

Reality TV star Tacha also owns Tacha FC, which will compete in the league.

The development comes after Afrofusion star Burna Boy unveiled his football academy for boys aged 4-21.

A federal capital territory (FCT) court sitting in the Apo area of Abuja has remanded two men in Kuje correctional facility for allegedly impersonating Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC arraigned the suspects — Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashi — on Wednesday before Jude Onwuebuzie, the presiding judge.

The defendants were arrested in August alongside two others—Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji—at Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

They were alleged to have contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, a former managing director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), claiming that he was indicted by the EFCC during a probe of his tenure.

The suspects allegedly demanded $1 million from Bello-Kokp, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for him.

They also threatened him with arrest and prosecution if he failed to play along with them.

The EFCC filed a four-count charge against Joshua and Hashim for impersonation and attempted fraud.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

Elizabeth Alabi, EFCC counsel, prayed the court to remand the defendants to the correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial.

“Having pleaded not guilty, my lord, we ask for a date to begin calling our witnesses and request the defendants be remanded in custody,” she said.

Obinna Nwosu, counsel to the first defendant (Joshua), applied for his client’s release on liberal bail terms, while counsel for the second defendant, Peter Oriobe, made an oral request for bail.

The judge, however, directed Oriobe to file a written bail application for his client.

Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge said the sureties must not be less than level 16 officers in the civil service, adding that they must submit their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to bring the defendant to every court sitting.

The first defendant must also submit his international passport to the court.

The judge ordered that the first and second defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met.

The matter was adjourned till November 18 for the hearing of the second defendant’s bail application.

The Nigerian Navy says it has received three newly acquired Agusta Westland (AW) 109 Trekker helicopters from the ministry of defence.

Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, director of naval information, said in a statement that the three helicopters were handed over on Tuesday at the Caverton Helicopters Limited (CHL) hangar facility in Ikeja, Lagos.

Adams-Aliu said the AW 109 helicopters have all purpose-built VIP configurations, with full leather and noise attenuation systems.

He added that the choppers are equipped with landing skids that provide a better loading capacity compared to traditional wheeled helicopters.

“Additionally, the helicopters are designed with auxiliary tanks to ensure extended endurance of up to 3hrs 40mins,” Adams-Aliu said.

“Thus, the helicopters could be used for long-range transport flights. The helicopters could also be retrofitted with purpose-built mission equipment.”

Emmanuel Ogalla, the chief of naval staff, thanked President Bola Tinubu “for his unflinching support” to the Nigerian armed forces and Navy.

Ogalla expressed gratitude to Mohammed Badaru, the minister of defence, and Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, for facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters.

Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ondo, has asked a federal high court to disqualify Lucky Aiyedatiwa from participating in the election.

The state governorship election is slated to take place on November 16.

In an application, Edema said the court should compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the nomination of Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from participating in the election.

He said Aiyedatiwa and his deputy were elected in an invalid party primary election conducted by the APC on April 20.

The NNPP candidate said the primary election was in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, adding that the court should interpret the application of section 15 of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution.

“Let 1. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); 2. All Progressives Congress (APC); 3. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; and 4. Olayide Owolabi Adelami,” the court document reads.

“Within Seven (7) Days after service of these Summons on them, inclusive of the day of such service, cause an appearance to be entered for them to this Summons, which was issued upon the application of HON. OLUGBENGA OMOGBEMI EDEMA and NEW NIGERIAN PEOPLES PARTY, who are interested in the interpretation and application of the Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended), Sections 82 (1)(5); 84 (1)(2)(4a,b)(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Time Table and Schedule of Activities issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the Ondo State 2024 Governorship Election as well as other relevant laws and constitutional provisions.

“Whether the 1st Respondent is not bound or obligated to adhere to the clear and mandatory provisions Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); and Sections 82 (1)(5); 84 (1)(2)(4a,b)(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, in determining which political party should be included in the list of political parties for election in the Ondo state gubernatorial election coming up on the 16th November, 2024.

“Whether by the combined provisions of Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); and Sections 82 (1)(5); 84 (1)(2)(4a,b)(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the 2nd Defendant conducted a valid primary election for the purpose of presenting candidates for the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election slated for the 16th of November, 2024 to entitle the 1st Defendant to include its candidates in the final list of candidates published on the 7th day of November, 2024.

“Whether by the provision of section 84(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the 1st Defendant is not obligated to exclude/delist the names of the 3rd and 4th Defendants, being the candidates of the 2nd Defendant, from the list of approved candidates for the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election slated for the 16th November, 2024, having been nominated from an invalid Party Primary election conducted on the 20th of April 2024.”

Edema left the APC to join the NNPP in June after he lost in the party’s primary election to Aiyedatiwa.

He was among the party’s aspirants who alleged that the election did not hold in most parts of the state.

President Bola Tinubu says reforms in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will strengthen trade and border security across the country.

Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the comptroller-general of customs (CGC) conference.

The president, represented by Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), said the reforms align with his administration’s objective to grow Nigeria’s economy through industrialisation and diversification.

This, he said, demonstrates the service’s comprehensive modernisation agenda.

“Responding to our administration’s call for enhanced trade facilitation and economic growth, the service has introduced significant reforms, including the advanced ruling system and the authorised economic operator programme,” NAN quoted Tinubu to have said.

“These initiatives align with global best practices and show how agencies can innovatively implement solutions that advance our national economic objectives while meeting international standards.

“Such reforms enhance trade facilitation and create a more predictable business environment that supports our broader financial goals.”

Tinubu said the reforms contributed to Nigeria’s improved global ranking and ease of doing business.

The president pledged support for the agency’s modernisation and reform efforts, committing to back policies designed to strengthen the service’s capacity to fulfil its duties.

He said the NCS has shown progress in revenue generation, enhancing the government’s ability to fund essential development projects.

Tinubu said upon assuming office, he outlined a vision of strengthening Nigeria’s economy by building on existing frameworks and implementing necessary reforms.

He said his administration is determined to improve Nigeria’s trade and investment status globally as part of the reform initiatives.

“This goal is being pursued through strategic efforts to enhance trade facilitation, modernise port infrastructure, and streamline business processes to minimise trade barriers,” he said.

Tinubu said in less than two years of his administration, over $30 billion in foreign investment commitments have been secured, “reflecting the positive impact of these policies on both domestic and international investor confidence”.

He said the conference’s theme reflects the evolving economic landscape, noting that sustainable progress depends on strengthening existing alliances and forging new ones.

“Your deliberations should chart a path for enhancing our trade processes and compliance frameworks in ways that position Nigeria to maximise the opportunities presented by regional and continental integration while maintaining robust border security,” he said.

He said the outcome of the conference should provide a clear roadmap for achieving the objectives in line “with our national economic aspirations”.