Politics
Embrace climate-friendly attitude, Lagos governor urges residents
… launches five-year climate action plan
By Dada Jackson
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says the impact of climate change is no longer a theoretical threat but a reality and urges Lagosians to embrace a climate-friendly attitude.
He discloses this in an address he delivered at the opening ceremony of the state’s 8th International Climate Change Summit with the theme ‘Adapting Health, Energy, Agriculture, Transportation and Waste Infrastructure to the long-term Impact of Climate Change in Lagos’.
According to him, the impact of climate change being witnessed in some parts of the world has necessitated the need to urgently address the issue.
He admonished Lagosians to join the fight against climate change by adopting a climate friendly attitude in order to mitigate the effect on the society.
The governor pointed out that year 2020 was the worst year of climate change, adding that some countries recorded very devastating casualties as a result of the effects of climate.
He used the occasion of the opening ceremony to launch the Climate Action Plan (CAP 2020-2025).
With the new document, the state government will be responding to prevailing issues threatening the realisation of zero-carbon ambition, which are energy use, waste management and transport. They account for 90 per cent of total greenhouse gas emission in Lagos.
The summit also focused on the relationship between climate change and delivery of critical infrastructure transportation, agriculture and healthcare sectors.
Given the state’s topography and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the governor said Lagos is vulnerable to adverse events resulting from natural causes.
This, he said, prompted his administration to update the action plan to facilitate proactive response and clear strategy in mitigating the effects on global warming on the environment and the state economy.
He said, “This summit is an opportunity for us to present new Lagos State Climate Action Plan to the world. Painstaking effort has gone into it, and we are proud that we have been able to come up with a document that has robust plan for the environment.
“We have successfully updated the climate change action document adopted by Lagos in 2015 to reflect the targets and goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The final product is the ‘Lagos Climate Action Plan: Second Five-year Plan 2020- 2025.
“The updated Climate Action Plan reveals three main areas of threat to our zero-carbon ambition in Lagos, which are energy, waste and transport. They account for 90 per cent of our total greenhouse gas emission. We are now more adept at incorporating climate-friendly thinking into everything we do as a Government. Our goal is to entrench the action plan across the entire State, and get Lagosians imbibe the culture of climate-awareness in their homes, workplaces and lifestyles.”
Sanwo-Olu said most of the projects being undertaken by his administration were to address climate change and fast-track attainment of the zero-carbon goal in transportation, healthcare, energy, agriculture and waste management.
He said his government’s public transport reform sought to reduce number of personal vehicles on the roads, by providing alternative transportation model in form of low-emission buses and rail connections.
The state government, Sanwo-Olu pointed out, had adopted composting, recycling and waste-to-energy as part of the strategies to improve the quality of waste management in Lagos.
In the energy sector, Sanwo-Olu said the government would be rolling out opportunities in usage of off-grid solar systems to connect public schools, hospitals, government offices and public facilities.
He added that the state was looking into the exploring option of incentives to homes to move from fossil fuel generators to solar systems.
He said, “Lagos has been outstanding in the annual environmental reporting on the global disclosure system by the CDP, an international non-profit that measures the commitments of investors, companies, cities, states and regions to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. For three consecutive years, Lagos has emerged with a B score, which is well above the African and Global average score. This annual reporting has helped us greatly in understanding where we are and what still needs to be done.”
The governor thanked his predecessors for laying the foundation of developing Climate Action Plan, paving the way for consolidation by his administration.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, said the summit, since inception in 2009, had become a melting pot for researchers, investors, academicians and stakeholders in the environment and economic sectors to take unified decisions.
Bello praised Sanwo-Olu for bringing back the climate summit, five years after the event was held.
He said, “Around the world, governments and businesses are planning for climate instability. From flood defences to foreign aid, climate change is now part of policy and public discussions.
“The theme of this summit cannot be more apt than now because we have reached a point where Lagos needs to be intentional on projects and programmes that will be climate change compliant.”
Politics
2027 Elections: IPOB Vows to Resist APC Godfatherism in Abia
2027 Elections: IPOB Vows to Resist APC Godfatherism in Abia
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged plans to impose candidates in Abia State ahead of the 2027 general elections, vowing to resist any action that undermines the will of the people in the South-East.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, IPOB said political imposition was dangerous, undemocratic, and capable of triggering political tension and instability in the region. The group warned that it would not remain silent if attempts are made to hijack the electoral process in Abia or any other South-East state.
The statement, signed by IPOB’s Southeast Welfare Coordinator, Osinachi Obi, accused some APC leaders of attempting to control political structures in Abia State through what it described as undemocratic and manipulative methods.
According to IPOB, it is closely monitoring political developments across the South-East and will not allow any political party or individual to force candidates on the people, insisting that leadership must emerge strictly through free choice and popular mandate.
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“We have noticed the irresponsible behaviours linked to these individuals concerning the upcoming 2027 elections, and IPOB will not allow them to create chaos in Biafraland in the future,” the group said.
“IPOB will never tolerate any imposition of candidates by APC in any South-East region, particularly in Abia State.”
The organisation directly accused the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, of allegedly working to instigate political unrest in Abia State for personal political gain. IPOB warned that any attempt to manipulate the state’s political process would be strongly resisted.
IPOB also named Chris Nkwonta, the lawmaker representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency, accusing him of promoting division within his constituency to secure political advantage ahead of 2027.
“The worldwide family and movement of the Indigenous Biafran people is closely monitoring the actions of APC in the South-East and will not accept any attempt to undermine the citizens’ choice,” the statement said, alleging that some politicians were attempting to install political puppets through coercion and division.
The group stressed that Abia State does not recognise political godfatherism, warning that any attempt to use former governors or influential figures to influence election outcomes would be rejected by the people.
IPOB further accused some APC politicians of deliberately instigating conflicts in local government areas to weaken unity, polarise communities, and make elections easier to manipulate.
“Godfatherism is not permitted in the South-East, including Abia State,” IPOB said. “Attempts to ignite conflicts and divide communities for political gain will only undermine the integrity of those involved.”
The group concluded by warning that it would not remain silent if political actors continued what it described as efforts to destabilise the South-East, adding that residents of the region were determined to protect their political space ahead of the 2027 polls.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC and the individuals named had not issued official responses.
2027 Elections: IPOB Vows to Resist APC Godfatherism in Abia
Politics
Tinubu Hails Wike as APC Dominates 2026 FCT Area Council Elections
Tinubu Hails Wike as APC Dominates 2026 FCT Area Council Elections
President Bola Tinubu has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his outstanding contributions to the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recently concluded 2026 FCT Area Council elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted polls across the six area councils of the FCT — Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali — on February 21, 2026. The APC secured victories in Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, and Kwali, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Gwagwalada.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, Tinubu congratulated all successful candidates and praised the peaceful and credible conduct of the elections, noting the efforts of INEC, security agencies, and voters.
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The President singled out Minister Wike — a member of the opposition PDP — for special commendation, saying his work in the FCT contributed to significant political gains for the APC. The statement read:
“President Tinubu commends the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his remarkable achievements in the territory, which have yielded political dividends to the governing APC. He congratulates the APC national leadership, as well as party structures in Kano and Rivers states, for the victories at the polls.”
Tinubu urged newly elected officials to govern with humility, dedication, and patriotism, emphasizing that their mandates are a sacred trust from the people. He also noted that the elections are a boost to Nigeria’s democratic development, reinforcing democratic institutions and culture.
The statement highlighted the importance of continued electoral reforms, calling on INEC to enhance its processes to ensure even more transparent and credible elections in the future.
While the elections were largely peaceful, FCT officials acknowledged that voter turnout varied, being higher in satellite towns than in city centre areas. Minister Wike praised security agencies and residents for maintaining order during the exercise.
The FCT Area Council elections are seen as a significant indicator for the APC’s performance ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the results bolstering the party’s position in key political zones.
Tinubu Hails Wike as APC Dominates 2026 FCT Area Council Elections
Politics
PDP Heads to Court Over FCT Polls, Cites Video Evidence of Irregularities
PDP Heads to Court Over FCT Polls, Cites Video Evidence of Irregularities
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to challenge the outcome of the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, declaring that it is heading to court with what it described as strong video and documentary evidence of electoral irregularities.
The move follows the conclusion of voting across the six FCT area councils — Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali — with official results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showing a clear advantage for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the results, the APC won chairmanship seats in Abaji, AMAC, Bwari and Kwali, while the PDP recorded its only victory in Gwagwalada Area Council.
PDP Sets Up Legal Team
In a statement signed by the party’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the PDP disclosed that it has constituted a special legal team to prosecute all election-related petitions arising from the FCT council polls. The team is headed by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u.
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The party urged all its candidates dissatisfied with the election outcomes to immediately submit petitions and supporting materials, warning that delays could weaken their cases at the election tribunals.
Claims of Intimidation and Manipulation
The PDP accused security agencies and other actors of interfering in the electoral process, alleging widespread intimidation, vote suppression, and manipulation at polling units and during result collation.
“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors declared successful by INEC,” the statement said.
“This victory, though fewer than expected, is particularly significant given the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage witnessed during the elections.”
The party insisted it has visual records allegedly showing armed security personnel carting away result sheets, intimidating voters, and influencing outcomes in several polling units.
Voter Apathy and Electoral Reform
Beyond the legal challenge, the PDP blamed low voter turnout on what it described as declining public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. The party argued that repeated controversies surrounding elections have weakened confidence among voters.
It warned that the FCT council elections could be a signal ahead of the 2027 general elections if urgent reforms are not implemented.
Call for Intervention
The opposition party called on the President and the National Assembly to urgently intervene by reforming the electoral framework, strengthening transparency, and limiting security interference in elections.
With post-election litigation now looming, political focus in the FCT is shifting from the ballot box to the courtroom as parties prepare for legal battles that could reshape grassroots governance in the nation’s capital.
PDP Heads to Court Over FCT Polls, Cites Video Evidence of Irregularities
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