2027: MURIC Demands Muslim Governorship Candidates in South-West

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on major political parties in Nigeria to ensure the emergence of Muslim governorship candidates in South-West states ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that parties that ignore the demand may lose support from Muslim voters.

The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, where it directly addressed leading political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other registered parties.

MURIC specifically urged political parties to consider Muslim candidates in Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo States, insisting that Muslims should not be excluded from the race for governorship positions in the South-West geopolitical zone.

The group argued that Muslims constitute a significant population in the South-West and deserve fair representation in elective offices, particularly at the governorship level. It maintained that there are qualified Muslim politicians capable of leading the affected states and contributing to good governance.

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MURIC also alleged that the current political arrangement in the South-West reflects what it described as religious imbalance, noting that governors in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States are currently Christians. According to the group, this situation highlights what it considers limited political inclusion of Muslims in top leadership positions in the region.

The organisation claimed that since the 2023 general elections, Muslims in the South-West have been largely excluded from governorship positions. In its statement, MURIC said, “Although Muslims constitute the majority in Yorubaland, the political leadership space of the region has been hijacked by Yoruba Christians since 2023.” It added that Muslims have been reduced to political spectators in key electoral outcomes, stressing the need for what it described as equitable political participation and inclusion.

MURIC further stated that none of the 17 Southern states in Nigeria currently has a Muslim governor, describing the development as politically significant. The group argued that this reality contradicts claims of religious domination narratives in Nigeria’s political space. It also dismissed allegations of Islamisation of the country, describing such claims as “false and baseless propaganda.”

The statement has added to ongoing political conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially around issues of zoning arrangements, religious balance, and power-sharing agreements. Political analysts say such debates often intensify during election cycles, particularly in diverse regions like the South-West where both Islam and Christianity influence voter behaviour and party strategies. Political parties are expected to consider factors such as electoral strength, internal zoning arrangements, and demographic realities as they prepare for candidate selection.

2027: MURIC Demands Muslim Governorship Candidates in South-West

Jilli Strike: Anyone Doing Business With Terrorists Is a Target — Presidency Aide

The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended the Nigerian military following public outrage over the recent airstrike on Jilli village market near the Borno–Yobe border, insisting that individuals engaging in transactions with terrorists may be treated as legitimate military targets.

Olusegun made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday while responding to comments questioning whether images circulating online actually showed a functioning market. He wrote: “Anyone who is doing business with terrorists are legitimate military targets for our nation’s armed forces and not civilians.”

The statement comes amid growing controversy surrounding the air operation conducted under Operation Hadin Kai, led by the Nigerian Air Force, which targeted Jilli village in Gubio in Borno State on Saturday.

According to military authorities, the strike was carried out based on intelligence indicating that the location served as a terrorist logistics hub linked to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The Defence Headquarters said surveillance data showed movement of motorcycles and armed vehicles believed to be converging for operational purposes.

Military spokespersons under Operation Hadin Kai maintained that the strike followed “rigorous targeting procedures” and was informed by sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the area. They added that preliminary post-strike assessments suggested that several insurgents were neutralised and logistics assets destroyed.

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However, the operation has sparked conflicting accounts from local authorities and emergency responders. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that civilians were among those affected, describing the incident as an accidental strike with unintended casualties.

Preliminary local reports suggested that more than 40 people may have been killed, though official figures remain unverified due to ongoing assessments and conflicting field data.

The Defence Headquarters has defended the operation, stating that Jilli and surrounding areas had long been identified as insurgent logistics corridors frequently used for movement, supply, and regrouping by armed groups. Officials also referenced past attacks on Nigerian troops in the region, including a deadly incident earlier in 2026 that reportedly killed soldiers during insurgent assaults.

The spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba, said the strike was conducted after careful intelligence validation and aerial monitoring, insisting that the target area had been under surveillance due to repeated militant activity.

Despite the military’s justification, the Babagana Zulum has previously acknowledged that Jilli and surrounding locations are areas with known insurgent activity but has urged caution in military operations to avoid civilian harm and ensure proper identification of targets.

The controversy has intensified debate over civilian protection during counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, with human rights observers and local stakeholders calling for clearer rules of engagement and improved intelligence accuracy to reduce the risk of civilian casualties.

As of the time of filing this report, the military maintains that the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure, while emergency agencies continue to assess the humanitarian impact of the strike.

Jilli Strike: Anyone Doing Business With Terrorists Is a Target — Presidency Aide

Wike Denies ADC Was Blocked From Using Eagle Square for Convention

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was denied access to Eagle Square for its national convention in Abuja, insisting that no formal application was properly submitted to the relevant authorities.

Wike made the clarification while speaking to journalists during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory, where he addressed growing controversy surrounding the opposition party’s planned convention.

The allegation was first raised by former PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, who claimed that less than 24 hours before the event, the ADC had not been allocated a venue despite repeated requests to the FCT administration.

According to Ologbondiyan, the party had written to the office of the FCT Minister seeking approval to use Eagle Square. Although the letter was acknowledged, he alleged that no official approval was granted. He also claimed the party’s request to use the Moshood Abiola National Stadium velodrome was declined, while several private event centres in Abuja reportedly refused to host the convention over fears of political backlash.

The ADC reportedly proceeded to secure an alternative venue, the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, after encountering what it described as logistical and administrative hurdles.

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However, Wike rejected claims of political interference, stating that the proper procedure for booking Eagle Square was not followed. He explained that the facility is managed through the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) and requires formal application, payment, and security clearance before approval.

“Who denied them? I am not aware of any such development. If it is ADC, such claims are their usual attempt to gain public sympathy,” Wike said.

He further insisted that no official request had been received by the responsible agency.

“As we speak, no formal application has been submitted to the Abuja Investments Company Limited. When APC used Eagle Square and when PDP used the velodrome, they followed due process,” he added.

Wike also clarified that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium velodrome falls under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Commission, not the FCT Administration, distancing his office from decisions regarding its allocation.

A letter dated April 7, reportedly signed by ADC official Chinedu Idigo, had earlier shown that the party formally requested Eagle Square for what it described as a non-elective national convention. The party stated that the venue was chosen for its capacity, central location, and security suitability, and also assured authorities it would comply with all conditions, including payment and post-event maintenance.

Despite this, the request was reportedly not approved, prompting criticism from party stakeholders who alleged administrative delays and lack of transparency.

Wike, however, maintained that the FCT Administration does not deny any political party access to public facilities if due process is followed, adding that allegations of bias are politically motivated.

The minister also used the inspection visit to highlight ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, expressing satisfaction with progress made on key road networks. He disclosed that several projects are expected to be completed by mid-May, while streetlight installations will be concluded shortly after.

At Gaduwa, he said measures had been taken to protect road corridors from encroachment, while at Wassa, plans were underway to relocate informal traders, including Apo Mechanic Village operators, to a newly developed facility with improved infrastructure.

Wike also addressed recent windstorm damage at the Kugbo Bus Terminal, describing it as a natural event that affected only roofing sheets, with repairs already ongoing. He stressed that the structure remains intact and no casualties were recorded.

The minister attributed ongoing development progress in the FCT to stronger contractor compliance and improved funding mechanisms, which he said have ensured steady delivery of projects across Abuja.

Wike Denies ADC Was Blocked From Using Eagle Square for Convention