Tension gripped parts of Benin City on Tuesday after gunmen disrupted a political gathering attended by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

The incident occurred at an event organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where armed hoodlums reportedly stormed the venue and began shooting sporadically, sending participants and residents scampering for safety.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers specifically trailed a vehicle conveying Obi as it left the venue, pursuing it toward the residence of Chief John Oyegun.

The assailants allegedly continued firing in the direction of the convoy, creating panic in the area.

The chaotic scene forced attendees to flee while security operatives and supporters worked to secure the former Anambra State governor.

Initial reports indicated uncertainty over Obi’s condition, as confusion reigned in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

However, sources close to the situation later confirmed that he was not injured.
“Mr. Obi is safe and unharmed,” a party source disclosed, adding that efforts were ongoing to stabilise the situation and ensure the safety of all attendees.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to either guarantee the safety and wellbeing of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, or grant him immediate bail, warning that the administration would be held responsible if any harm befalls him.

El-Rufai has remained in custody since February 16 after honouring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was subsequently transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Following his transfer, officials reportedly conducted a search of his Abuja residence, an action he has challenged in court.

Providing an update on his condition, Muyiwa Adekeye, a media aide to the former governor, alleged that El-Rufai experienced a nosebleed in detention and that one of his wives was prevented from handing him food directly.

Reacting via his social media platforms, Atiku described the reports as deeply concerning, stressing that El-Rufai’s health and welfare are matters of serious concern to his family and associates.

He maintained that if the authorities are unable to safeguard his health and fundamental rights, the proper course of action is to release him on bail without delay.

“If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable,” Atiku stated.

The former vice-president also called on the Federal Government to clarify which agency is currently detaining the former governor, whether the EFCC, the ICPC, the State Security Service or any other security body.

He argued that secrecy surrounding detention only heightens public suspicion and insisted that Nigerians deserve full transparency.

According to him, whichever agency has custody of El-Rufai bears a constitutional responsibility to ensure his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and unhindered communication with his family and legal representatives.

Atiku further expressed concern over what he described as a growing perception of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures appear to face more aggressive scrutiny than others.

He warned that anti-corruption efforts risk losing credibility if they are seen as partisan or politically motivated.

“Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all — without fear or favour,” he said.

The Osun State House of Assembly has passed a bill amending key provisions of the state’s local government law.

The legislation, titled Osun State Local Government Amendment No. 2 Bill 2026, scaled third reading on the floor of the House and was subsequently adopted.

Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, announced that clean copies of the bill would be transmitted to Governor Ademola Adeleke for assent.

In a related development, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, addressed concerns surrounding the ongoing payroll audit conducted by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Rasheed maintained that the payroll structure under review was inherited from the administration of former governor Gboyega Oyetola.

He stated that any irregularities uncovered in the audit process should be traced to the previous government, insisting that the current administration is committed to transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party described the controversies trailing the staff audit as regrettable.

The party noted that the situation has generated avoidable tension and called for a more coordinated approach to resolving the issues.

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation has discontinued the criminal proceedings instituted against senior advocate Mike Ozekhome over alleged forgery.

The withdrawal was announced on Tuesday before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama.

The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that the Attorney General had resolved to review the matter comprehensively and determine the appropriate next steps.

Following the application — which was not opposed by the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN) — the court struck out the three-count charge.

Ozekhome had earlier been arraigned on allegations of forgery, fraud, and the use of false documents in a case originally filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

The anti-graft agency accused the senior lawyer of receiving a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London, which he claimed was a gift, and allegedly presenting a forged Nigerian passport in support of the claim.

Prosecutors argued that the alleged actions violated provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act as well as the FCT Penal Code.

On January 29, 2026, Oyedepo had notified the court of the Attorney General’s decision to take over the prosecution in line with Section 174 of the Constitution, which empowers the AGF to institute, assume, or discontinue criminal proceedings.

He explained that the takeover was undertaken in collaboration with the ICPC to ensure due process, efficiency, and adherence to the highest prosecutorial standards.

According to him, the move was guided by public interest and the need to uphold fairness and integrity within the criminal justice system.

The DPPF assured the court that the rights of all parties would be protected during the review process and that inter-agency cooperation remained central to the anti-corruption fight.

After considering the application, Justice Kekemeke granted the request and formally struck out the charges against Ozekhome.

The Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has called for urgent explanations from the state government and federal lawmakers following the ambush on the convoy of the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Army confirmed that the convoy of Major General Bemgha Koughna was attacked by suspected terrorists near Mayama Hill in Maiyama Local Government Area.

Troops operating under Operation Fansan Yamma reportedly repelled the assault, killing five of the attackers and recovering weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, communication gadgets and ₦840,000 in cash.

The incident has heightened anxiety over rising insecurity in parts of Kebbi State, particularly in forested border communities where the Lakurawa group has been linked to repeated attacks.

In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, the ADC State Chairman, Bala Sufiyanu, described the ambush as troubling and indicative of deeper security lapses.

While commending the troops for their swift response and professionalism, Sufiyanu said the attack raised serious concerns about the safety of residents across the state.

He questioned how a senior military commander could come under attack in the state and warned that ordinary citizens in rural communities might be even more vulnerable.

The party urged Governor Nasir Idris to provide a detailed security briefing to the public, outlining intelligence available before the incident and measures taken to prevent such attacks.

The ADC also demanded clarity on state security spending over the past two fiscal years and called for transparency in the deployment of resources aimed at combating terrorism.

In addition, the party directed questions to Kebbi’s representatives in the National Assembly, including Senator Adamu Aliero, asking what legislative and oversight actions had been undertaken to strengthen security architecture in the state.

According to the ADC, the recovery of cash and motorcycles from the attackers suggests the existence of a structured funding and logistics network, which it said requires coordinated intelligence, political will and community-based interventions to dismantle.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kebbi State Government nor the federal lawmakers mentioned had issued an official response to the party’s demands.

The All Progressives Congress has extended the timeline for the sale and submission of nomination forms ahead of its forthcoming Zonal Congress and National Convention.

In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC announced that the purchase and submission of forms will now run from March 12 to March 23, 2026.

The ruling party clarified that while the deadline for forms has been adjusted, the dates for the actual events remain unchanged.

According to the statement, the Zonal Congress is scheduled for March 25, 2026, while the National Convention will hold from March 26 to March 27, 2026, as previously announced.

The APC also disclosed a change in venue for the South-South Zonal Congress, which will now take place in Asaba, Delta State.

It added that formal notification of the adjustments had been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission in compliance with statutory requirements.

The party urged members, aspirants, and stakeholders to take note of the revised schedule and make the necessary arrangements.

The latest update follows earlier modifications to the party’s 2026 timetable, including adjustments to ward congresses and other preparatory activities.

The congresses and convention are expected to produce new zonal and national executives who will lead the party into the next electoral cycle.