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2027 Polls: 30 APC Governors, 88 senators, 242 Reps, 2,620 others know fate today

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No fewer than 30 or 31 governors, 88 senators, 242 members of House of Representatives and President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger, Osifo Stanley, and 2,620 others will know whether or not they will contest the 2027 elections on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, today.

Also, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu; Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel; former governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo are among those screened by the party. As part of activities to meet the timelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the polls, the APC will today publish the names of cleared aspirants.

It was gathered that the party screened no fewer than 2,980 aspirants for one presidential slot, 28 governorship, 109 Senate, 360 House of Representatives, and 991 state assembly positions.

The screening panel granted President Tinubu a waiver.

Among those screened between May 8 and 12 were a host of serving and former governors, lawmakers and technocrats, who purchased and submitted expression of interest and nomination forms.

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Among those whose fate hangs on today’s publication is Osifo Stanley, the only aspirant challenging Tinubu for the presidential ticket.

Another aspirant is Hope Uzodimma, who holds multiple positions as Imo State governor, chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors leading President Tinubu’s re-election push.

It was gathered that the APC hierarchy is under pressure to prevail on Uzodimma to drop his senatorial ambition, which they said would create crisis in the polity.

How? If Uzodimma runs for Imo West senatorial seat and wins, he would have two positions at the same time because his governorship will lapse in January 2028.

In Ogun State, former governor and serving Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel is locked in a tough fight for the seat with serving Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Gombe State governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, is also challenging Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (his predecessor in office) for a senatorial seat in Gombe.

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who is gunning for Abia State governorship, recently fought against a petition accusing him of going to the Law School and doing the one year national youth service at the same time. His fate will also be known today

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has two formidable opponents in former Senator Gbolahan Dada and ex-Works Commissioner, Olayiwola Taiwo, for the APC ticket in Ogun West senatorial district.

With most of the aspirants insisting on direct primaries, kicking against consensus, and threatening fire and brimstone, if candidates were imposed, National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Yiltwatda, yesterday read the riot act to unruly aspirants.

Yilwatda on Monday put aspirants seeking elective positions on the party’s platform on notice, warning that the forthcoming primaries must be conducted peacefully or sanctions will follow.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said: “The leadership of the party will not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the primaries.”

He noted that any aspirant or supporter found instigating violence, sponsoring unrest, engaging in anti-party activities, or attempting to undermine the integrity of the process will face severe disciplinary measures, including immediate suspension from the party.

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Soldier, police officer killed as army rescues nine abductees in Zamfara

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One Nigerian Army officer and a police officer were killed when troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA repelled a terrorist attack on a Forward Operating Base in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The troops also rescued nine abducted civilians during a pursuit of the fleeing attackers.

The Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba.

According to the statement, the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base at Kasuwan Daji at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday but were repelled by troops.

“Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kasuwan Daji, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by terrorists.

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“The successful defense of the base resulted in heavy casualties for the attackers, forcing them to retreat in disarray, and led to the rescue of nine abducted civilians,” the statement read.

The Army said troops detected the terrorists’ movement and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission.

“The incident occurred at approximately 0140 hours (1:40 a.m.) on 2 August 2026, when terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military facility.

“Alerted troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated, overwhelming firepower. The fierce resistance compelled the terrorists to abandon their mission and withdraw in confusion,” Osoba said.

The statement added that reinforcements were deployed after the initial gun battle, with troops pursuing the fleeing terrorists and rescuing nine civilians who had been abducted from nearby communities.

“Following the initial engagement, reinforcements arrived and troops launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted an unspecified number of residents from the surrounding community during the attack. The relentless pursuit by the troops led to the rescue of nine abducted locals, who were safely recovered,” it stated.

The Army, however, confirmed that one Army officer and one police officer were killed during the exchange of fire, while two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds.”Regrettably, one Army officer and one Police officer paid the supreme price during the heavy firefight. Additionally, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care; both personnel remain in stable condition.

“Troops have since secured and dominated the area and are currently conducting exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses and ensure the safety of the community,” the statement added.

The Army described the failed attack as another operational setback for the terrorists amid ongoing military operations across the North-West.

It also dismissed reports circulating online that six security personnel were killed during the incident.

“Contrary to rumours circulating online that six personnel died, it is worthy to mention that only one Army officer and a policeman paid the supreme price,” Osoba said.

He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist groups in the region.

“Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains resolute in its commitment to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities, and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North West,” the statement added.

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‘Nigeria is bleeding,’ says Yoruba Union, asks Nigerians to vote Tinubu out in 2027

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Tinubu scraps Ministries of Niger Delta, Sports
President Bola Tinubu
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The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá (Yoruba Union), has called on Nigerians to vote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu out of office in the 2027 general elections, accusing his administration of worsening insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and refusing to acknowledge the suffering of ordinary citizens.

The call was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and made available through its Home Director, Princess Balogun.

The organisation said Nigeria was “bleeding” under the current administration, alleging that despite the country’s mounting security and economic challenges, the President had continued to dismiss the concerns of suffering Nigerians.

“Our people have become beggars under Tinubu’s watch while hundreds of innocent citizens remain in the hands of Fulani terrorists waiting for ransom payments. The cost of living has become unbearable, yet the President does not want to listen to Nigerians,” the group said.

The Yoruba Union maintained that the Tinubu administration had failed to provide meaningful solutions to the nation’s most pressing problems, insisting that Nigerians should reject the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

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The group also aligned itself with concerns recently raised by the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and other Catholic bishops, who reportedly told President Tinubu during a meeting that millions of Nigerians were grappling with severe economic hardship and worsening insecurity.

According to the organisation, rather than acknowledge those concerns and outline practical measures to address them, the President insisted that his administration’s policies were yielding positive results.

“The country is truly bleeding, but Tinubu neither wants to see the realities nor listen to the cries of Nigerians,” the statement added.

The group further cited the security situation in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, alleging that nearly 176 women and children abducted since February were still being held captive, while about 200 people had been killed, despite government assurances that security was improving.

It argued that deteriorating economic conditions had pushed many Nigerians into criminal activities as they struggled to survive.

“Many people have resorted to different forms of criminality because of the economic situation in the country, yet Tinubu insists that the economy is doing fine,” the organisation stated.

The Yoruba Union also accused the President and his family of being insulated from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians because of the privileges associated with public office.

“Since Tinubu and his family enjoy taxpayers’ money, travel abroad, eat well and have access to every luxury they desire, they will never believe that millions of Nigerians are wallowing in poverty.

“They will never understand that hunger is killing people daily or that many Nigerians have died simply because they could not afford to buy medicines needed to treat themselves.”

The group equally blamed the administration for what it described as the growing insecurity across the country.

“Tinubu has institutionalised insecurity. Military generals are being killed and kidnapped, students are abducted and murdered, yet the government behaves as though nothing has happened,” it alleged.

It argued that the nation’s security challenges alone should be enough reason for Nigerians to reject the President at the next general election.

“The realities facing this country today are enough reasons for Nigerians to vote Tinubu out in 2027,” the statement said.

The organisation also expressed concern over the plight of Nigerians in the diaspora who returned home to invest after government appeals, alleging that many had instead been subjected to intimidation, multiple taxation and destruction of their businesses.

“Many Nigerians who were encouraged to return home and invest are now regretting their decisions. Some obtained loans abroad to finance businesses in Nigeria, but instead of encouraging them, the government has continued to torment them, destroy their properties and burden them with numerous taxes,” it stated.

The Yoruba Union further accused security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, of abandoning their constitutional responsibilities and becoming instruments of political oppression.

“The country is truly bleeding, and security agencies like the DSS and the police, which ought to stand with the people, are now being used by the Tinubu government to oppress citizens.

“They are being used to arrest, detain and jail innocent Nigerians whose only offence is demanding good governance and accountability.”

Describing Nigeria as a “banana republic” under the current administration, the group called on Nigerians to unite behind credible leaders capable of restoring accountability, rebuilding public confidence and returning the country to the path of national progress.

“It is time for Nigerians to wake up from their slumber, unite and support credible leaders who can hold corrupt politicians accountable, recover Nigeria’s lost glory and restore the country’s dignity both in Africa and on the global stage,” the statement added.

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Police rescue kidnap victim, kill suspect after gun duel in Enugu forest

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The Enugu State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped woman and neutralised a suspected kidnapper during an intelligence-led operation in Okpuje, Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, which took place on Friday, July 31, 2026, was launched after police received a distress call at about 10:10 a.m. reporting that armed kidnappers had emerged from a nearby forest and abducted a woman along Anuka Road, Okpuje.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, August 1, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, operatives of the Okpuje Police Division immediately mobilised alongside Forest Guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch to trail the kidnappers.
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The security team tracked the suspects into the Anuka forest near the Enugu-Kogi State boundary, where they engaged the gang in a gun battle.Time & Calendars

During the exchange of gunfire, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while other members of the gang escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

The police said the abducted woman was rescued unhurt, while her two children and motorcycle, which the kidnappers abandoned at the scene, were also recovered.

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“The victim and her children have since been reunited with their family, while efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects,” the statement said.

Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the police operatives, Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch members for their swift response and effective collaboration.

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

The police commissioner also urged residents to remain security conscious and continue supporting law enforcement agencies with credible and timely information.

CP Giwa said the command remains committed to protecting lives and property through proactive policing and strengthened collaboration with local security stakeholders.

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