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Former Ekiti State Governor Fayose says no serious challenge to Tinubu in 2027 election
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose stated that President Bola Tinubu is the clear favorite for the 2027 presidential election, attributing this to a divided opposition. Speaking on Channels Television, Fayose argued that opposition parties have weakened their chances by failing to unite. He dismissed suggestions of significant electoral threats to Tinubu despite concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and rising living costs. Fayose asserted that "Nobody is contesting against Tinubu," distinguishing this reality from social media noise. He believes Tinubu would have faced a tougher battle if opposition leaders had formed a united coalition. Fayose maintained that the proliferation of political parties and presidential hopefuls has diminished the opposition's prospects, drawing a parallel to the 2023 election where opposition division benefited Tinubu. He also claimed Tinubu has done his best to address the country's security crisis, suggesting the president is being blackmailed by the crisis ahead of the 2027 election, similar to how former President Jonathan was blackmailed through insecurity.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai rtd, a former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, has challenged the assertion that security agencies cannot locate bandits and kidnappers, despite these criminals openly sharing videos and communicating from their hideouts. Speaking on TVC, Buratai stated his belief that authorities possess the capability to track such individuals, questioning why they can locate ordinary citizens but not criminals who publicize their activities. While not directly criticizing security agencies, he suggested there might be underlying reasons for their operational decisions. Buratai emphasized the need to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through continuous training, recruitment of more operatives, and improved welfare for security personnel, including better accommodation. He affirmed that the Nigerian armed forces have specialized units, such as the Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service and the Nigerian Army’s Special Forces, trained for high-risk hostage rescue and VIP protection missions. However, he acknowledged that operational decisions in kidnapping cases are often influenced by concerns for hostage safety and the risk of collateral damage. He also advocated for expanding the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, proposing the establishment of state branches equipped with advanced technology and operational facilities to enhance coordination among security agencies
Professor Saleh Yuguda, Director-General of the National Blood Service Agency, has urged for more voluntary blood donations as World Blood Donor Day 2026 approaches. The World Health Organization's slogan for this year's campaign is "One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives." Yuguda emphasized that the campaign aims to strengthen global efforts for a safe, sustainable, and adequate blood supply through regular voluntary donations. He noted that the initiative will also celebrate blood donors' contributions and promote the values of solidarity, compassion, and humanity. Yuguda called on governments, development partners, and stakeholders to increase support for national blood programs to ensure universal access to safe blood transfusion services. The 2026 campaign will focus on community integration and grassroots engagement, involving traditional institutions, community leaders, youth groups, and faith-based organizations to promote voluntary blood donation and foster community ownership of blood services. This community-based approach seeks to enhance public understanding, address misconceptions, and build sustainable donor pools to meet national blood requirements. World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on June 14, recognizes voluntary blood donors and advocates for robust blood systems to meet transfusion needs for emergencies, maternal healthcare, surgeries, and various medical conditions.