Politics
Count Me Out Of 2023 Presidential Race — INEC Chair
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that he is not contesting the 2023 presidential election.
Yabuku, in a statement Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, described a statement that called on him to join the race for the 2023 presidential election as unfair.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to innuendoes in certain quarters that Nigerians should not be surprised if the INEC chairman joins the presidential race or urging him to do so.
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“It is a preposterous proposition. It will not happen.
“The chairman remains an umpire committed to free, fair and credible elections.
“His constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the presidential election are onerous enough for him to even contemplate straying into extraneous matters at variance with the law, morality and his personal principles.
“The chairman will continue to discharge his responsibilities without affection for, or ill will against, any political party or candidate.”
NPOREPORTS
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Politics
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Former Edo Governor insists he witnessed Obi’s private jet use, calls for religious test to settle dispute
BENIN CITY — A fresh political controversy has erupted following claims by former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi frequently uses private jets despite public claims to the contrary.
Speaking in a recent interview on SYMFONI TV, Oshiomhole challenged Obi to a public oath-taking, proposing that both men place their hands on a Bible to settle the dispute.
“Obi is a Christian; I’m a Christian. Please bring a priest, bring your Bible, and I’ll put my hand on it, and let Obi put his hand on it,” Oshiomhole said, emphasizing their shared faith as the basis for the challenge.
The former governor alleged that he personally encountered Obi at the Executive Jet Wing in Lagos on at least two occasions. According to him, on one instance Obi was alone, while on another he was accompanied by his wife. Oshiomhole further claimed that he himself had flown a private jet from Benin and landed at the same time as Obi.
The remarks come amid a broader political exchange regarding Obi’s travel arrangements, which have been a subject of public debate. Obi’s media adviser, Dr. Valentine Obienyem, has since disputed Oshiomhole’s claims, pointing to a long history between the two politicians, including instances where Oshiomhole had previously praised Obi and invited him to campaign in Edo State.
The proposal for a Bible oath has sparked mixed reactions among political observers, with some describing it as an unusual but telling escalation of the ongoing verbal duel between the two prominent figures.
As of press time, neither Peter Obi nor his media team had responded directly to the specific challenge issued by Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
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Politics
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
LAGOS — The political landscape ahead of the upcoming general elections was thrown into fresh turmoil yesterday following explosive allegations by the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who claims that his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Peter Obi, is secretly working to install Atiku Abubakar as president. In a statement made available to journalists, Sowore alleged that Obi is not genuinely pursuing the presidency but is instead positioning himself for the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in an Atiku-led administration.
According to Sowore, the former Anambra State governor has been surreptitiously directing his teeming supporters to work for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, rather than campaigning for his own party. “Obi is positioning himself to become Atiku’s SGF,” Sowore stated bluntly. “He is secretly directing his supporters to work for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku. This is a betrayal of the movement that trusts him.” The allegation suggests a complex political realignment where the NDC and ADC are allegedly operating in a synergistic, if covert, manner. Sowore’s claims imply that the Obi movement is being used as a vehicle to siphon votes and energy toward Atiku’s bid, with the promise of a high-ranking position in the cabinet as the reward.
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The accusation, if proven, could have significant implications for the opposition’s unity. Sowore, a vocal activist and former presidential candidate, has historically positioned himself as a critic of the political establishment, often accusing major party candidates of engaging in backroom deals that undermine the will of the electorate. The claim that Obi is eyeing the SGF role—typically the highest administrative office in the presidency—suggests that he may not be confident in winning the top seat, or that a consensus power-sharing arrangement has been struck behind closed doors.
The statement, however, raises questions about the current state of party coalitions. The article identifies Obi as the “NDC presidential candidate” and Atiku as the “ADC presidential candidate,” party labels that differ from their traditional political affiliations (Labour Party and PDP, respectively). This suggests a major realignment of political platforms in this election cycle. Neither the Obi campaign nor the Atiku campaign has issued an official response to Sowore’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
The news has sparked immediate debate on social media, with supporters of both camps expressing confusion and anger. Sowore’s supporters have praised him for “exposing the truth,” while Obi’s loyalists have dismissed the claims as a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a crowded political space. Political analysts suggest that if Sowore’s claims hold any weight, it could lead to a massive voter apathy among the youth demographic that has largely backed Obi’s previous bids.
As the election date approaches, the political arithmetic appears to be shifting rapidly, with accusations of secret pacts and strategic positioning becoming the order of the day. Sowore has vowed to continue exposing what he describes as the “unholy alliances” shaping the future of the nation.
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
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Politics
Okonkwo Alleges Return of Subsidy, Accuses NNPC of Plotting Trillions in ‘Lost Profit’
Okonkwo Alleges Return of Subsidy, Accuses NNPC of Plotting Trillions in ‘Lost Profit’
Says FG’s 30-Day Fuel Discount Not Sourced from Dangote
The spokesman for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has raised an alarm over the Federal Government’s new 30-day fuel discount policy, describing it as a deceptive return to the previously abolished fuel subsidy regime.
In an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Okonkwo criticized the policy for failing to source petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery. He argued that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is poised to claim trillions of naira in alleged lost profits as a result of the scheme.
Okonkwo, a political commentator, stated that because the NNPC is not producing domestic refined fuel, the discount is essentially an “import-related subsidy” that benefits foreign refineries and shipping operations rather than local ones.
“The NNPC is not taking from Dangote at all, but they’ll claim trillions in lost profit,” Okonkwo said. “Since NNPC isn’t producing domestic refined fuel, this discount is essentially an import-related subsidy benefiting foreign refineries and shipping operations instead of local ones.”
He warned that the return to a subsidy system opens the door to financial fraud, particularly through the inflation of consumption figures.
“You could report 70 million liters when only 15 million liters were used,” he cautioned, noting the risk of opaque accounting in the sector.
As an alternative, Okonkwo advocated for supplying crude oil directly to the Dangote Refinery for domestic processing to reduce import costs. He stated that domestic refining is a central pillar of the ADC’s economic proposal.
The ADC chieftain’s comments come amid ongoing debate over the Federal Government’s new fuel price mechanism. The government, through Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, has maintained that the 30-day discount is a “NNPC margin cut” and not a subsidy.
Under the arrangement, NNPC Retail is expected to forgo its profit margin on petrol rather than using public funds to stabilize prices. However, Okonkwo contends that this still constitutes a subsidy, as it artificially reduces consumer costs while masking the true financial burden on the state oil company.
Okonkwo Alleges Return of Subsidy, Accuses NNPC of Plotting Trillions in ‘Lost Profit’
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