
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, met with Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday. This meeting is part of Hamzat's ongoing consultations for the 2027 governorship race. Hamzat stated on his X account that the engagement was a platform to review the state's progress and discuss collaborative efforts to strengthen Lagos. Gbajabiamila also posted on his X handle, confirming the visit was for consultations regarding Hamzat's aspiration to lead Lagos. He added that they would continue to share ideas on moving Lagos forward and building on past work. This meeting follows other early-stage political consultations by the deputy governor, including one with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has previously expressed support for Hamzat鈥檚 governorship bid.
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The Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC and supporters of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed confidence in stronger electoral performance across northern Nigeria in the 2027 election. This optimism comes despite criticism from figures like former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who predict Obi would struggle in the North. Leaders of the Obidient Movement and the NDC stated that the political landscape has shifted, and they are strengthening grassroots structures and developing new engagement strategies. Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, dismissed critics as politically irrelevant, asserting that northern voters would prioritize economic and security issues over ethnic or religious sentiments. He emphasized that the masses would vote based on their choice and that the "mistake of 2023 cannot be repeated." The party plans to unveil its northern mobilization strategy and intensify engagements with various groups. Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, indicated that the movement identified shortcomings from the 2023 election and is expanding its reach in the North through grassroots mobilization and engagement with traditional rulers. He dismissed concerns from elder statesmen, stating the movement focuses on empowering ordinary Nigerians. Hamzat Idayat, Kwara State Woman Leader of the NDC, added that the p
Must ReadRwang Tengwong, a resident of Kum and National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, described recent attacks in Plateau State where gunmen simultaneously invaded Kum and Wereng-Camp communities. He reported that nine members of one family were killed in Kum, including a three-month-old baby, her parents, and her 21-year-old father and 19-year-old mother. Only one family member survived with life-threatening injuries. Tengwong stated that such attacks, where entire families are wiped out, are not new to the Plateau, noting he has witnessed over five families completely eradicated since 2009. He highlighted that attackers often target vulnerable homes and that after killings, the original inhabitants flee, and new occupants, identified as Fulani, take over the communities, which then become inaccessible to the displaced. Tengwong criticized the lack of arrests by conventional security forces and questioned the effectiveness of security checkpoints near the attack sites. He also pointed out that vigilantes are underequipped compared to the sophisticated weapons used by attackers. He further mentioned that while security forces quickly respond to reports of cattle rustling by Fulani, they have not made efforts to arrest those responsible for killing locals. Tengwong suggested that the Nigerian government has mischaracterized these incidents as farmer-herder clashes, despite the use of bombs and the systematic wiping out of families, and called for proper i
Must ReadThe Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and residents of Kaiama Local Government Area have expressed concern over the delayed rescue of 176 women and children abducted during a February attack on the Woro community. Nearly six months after the incident, they accuse the federal and Kwara state governments of failing to secure the victims' release. Hundreds of residents staged a peaceful protest in Kaiama town, demanding action from President Bola Tinubu, the state government, and security agencies. The Village Head of Woro, Umar Salihu, stated that families are enduring hardship and emotional trauma, appealing to both governments to intensify rescue efforts. M. Z. Shero, leader of Concerned Citizens of Kaiama Local Government Area, highlighted that the victims have been in captivity for 171 days. Dr. Sanusi Lafiagi, Chief Imam of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, warned against the tragedy becoming another prolonged national security crisis. The PDP, in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary Olusegun Adewara, described the protest as a vote of no confidence in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's handling of security challenges, alleging his silence and absence have created a leadership vacuum.