Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, has apologised to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his conduct during the last All Progressives Congress primary election in Lagos.

Elliot was seen in a video circulating on social media kneeling before Gbajabiamila while pleading for forgiveness and expressing his desire to return to the fold of the ruling party in Lagos.

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse, I have nothing other than to say I’m deeply sorry and I am hoping to be cultured in the future,” Elliot said.

His appeal followed a disagreement with the APC leadership over the party’s primary election for the Surulere Constituency I seat held in May.

Elliot had withdrawn from the primary, alleging intimidation and political pressure against his supporters.

He subsequently rejected the outcome of the exercise and indicated that he would challenge the process through the party’s internal appeal mechanism.

The former actor eventually lost the APC ticket to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who was widely believed to have the backing of Gbajabiamila.

Odunuga-Bakare secured 11,385 votes in the primary, while Elliot polled 270 votes.

The Labour Party has distanced itself from its former National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, over his legal action seeking access to the academic and service records of the National Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The party said Arabambi no longer had any affiliation with the Labour Party and therefore had no mandate to represent its position in the matter.

In a statement on Monday, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said Arabambi was among 25 members suspended by the party’s National Executive Council in March over alleged anti-party activities.

According to Asogwa, the suspension was later ratified by the party’s National Convention on April 28, 2026, after which the affected individuals ceased to be members of the party.

The clarification followed reports identifying Arabambi as an LP chieftain in connection with three separate suits filed against the West African Examinations Council, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps over Obi’s credentials.

Asogwa said the Labour Party would not comment on the merits of the suits, particularly because Obi was no longer a member of the party, but stressed that Arabambi had no authority to speak or act on its behalf.

He said, “While the Labour Party wishes to refrain from commenting on the substance or otherwise of the litigant’s case before the court, particularly as Mr Peter Obi is not a member of the Party, we wish to notify the general public that Abayomi Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party.”

The LP spokesman added that no organ of the party had revisited or reversed the decision suspending and subsequently expelling the affected members.

He consequently warned that any attempt by Arabambi to present himself as an official or chieftain of the party was unauthorised.

“If Arabambi has presented himself to the public as a chieftain or representative of the Labour Party, the general public is hereby notified that such representation is entirely unauthorised and, prima facie, amounts to impersonation,” Asogwa said.

The party also disclosed that its lawyers were examining the matter and could pursue legal action, including a petition to relevant law enforcement authorities.

Arabambi had instituted three separate suits at the Federal High Court in Abuja under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking access to records relating to certificates allegedly issued to Obi by WAEC, UNN and the NYSC.

The former LP spokesman, however, maintained that his action was not intended to persuade the court to determine whether the credentials Obi submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 presidential election were genuine or forged.

Rather, Arabambi said he was seeking access to official records from the relevant institutions to establish the status and particulars of the certificates.

The development came shortly after the NDC dismissed the suits and challenged Arabambi to provide evidence suggesting that Obi’s academic credentials were questionable.

Reacting to the litigation, the NDC National Publicity Secretary said in an exclusive interview that Obi possessed a verifiable academic pedigree.

Osa Director also questioned the rationale behind seeking the records, particularly because, according to him, Arabambi had acknowledged that he was not directly challenging the authenticity of Obi’s certificates.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and vote-selling ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such practices undermine democracy and the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.

The President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, gave the charge on Sunday in Osogbo, Osun State, while addressing the opening session of the conference’s second plenary meeting hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo.

Ndagoso, who is also the Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese, expressed concern over growing public distrust in the electoral process and fears that votes may not count in future elections.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to build on recent improvements and ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair, transparent and credible.

The cleric said restoring confidence in the electoral process was critical to increasing voter participation and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic credentials.

“This should place our country on the path of international respect and integrity. There is a need to ensure that voters’ cards are easily available to all eligible voters, removing any obstacles and helping to culminate in election results that reflect the true choice of the people,” he said.

Ndagoso warned that anything short of credible elections in 2027 would amount to a disservice to the country.

He also appealed to political leaders to put the national interest above personal and partisan considerations, while encouraging eligible Nigerians to participate actively in the elections and vote for candidates of their choice.

The CBCN president commended the conduct of the recent Osun State off-cycle election, describing it as a source of renewed hope for the country’s democratic process.

He noted that the election was adjudged free and fair by observers and analysts, expressing optimism that the experience would be replicated during the 2027 general elections.

“What happened in Osun elections has given a glimmer of hope and confidence to many Nigerians. We hope it is a good sign of better things to come in the 2027 General Elections,” he said.

Ndagoso called on Catholic faithful and all Nigerians of goodwill to approach the 2027 elections with a well-informed conscience and resist political patronage and cynicism.

“We call upon and encourage our lay faithful and indeed all people of goodwill to reject vote-selling and buying, and resist the temptation of political cronyism and cynicism,” he added.

He further praised the people of Osun State for participating in the election and protecting their votes, saying the experience demonstrated that credible elections were possible in Nigeria.

“You came out, voted and guarded your votes to ensure that they count, and they counted. It happened in Osun; it can happen elsewhere and everywhere in our country,” he said.

In his remarks, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, acknowledged the Catholic Church’s longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in education, healthcare, human-capacity development and peace-building.

Adeleke urged the church to intensify prayers for peaceful and successful 2027 general elections, noting that the church remained an important stakeholder in electoral peace-building.

“As much as the Catholic Church is on the front line of electoral peacebuilding, we need divine intervention to secure the nation and the political process,” the governor said.

The Cross River State Government has suffered another loss following the death of the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Eka Williams.

Williams reportedly died on Saturday evening while receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

Vanguard newspaper, citing a brother of the deceased, reported the commissioner’s death.

Reacting to the development, the deceased’s brother described Williams as a man who lived a worthy life and whose legacy would endure despite his death.

“His name will not simply be forgotten because he died; he will be remembered because he lived a worthy life. That is what matters,” he was quoted as saying.

Williams’ death makes him the second commissioner to die under the administration of Governor Bassey Otu.

The state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, died in 2025.

As of the time of filing this report, the state Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, had not responded to calls seeking confirmation or comments on Williams’ death.

Tributes have continued to pour in for the late commissioner, with friends, associates and residents taking to social media to mourn his passing.

A Facebook user, Michael Gabriel, described Williams as a dedicated public servant and a good man whose death was a painful loss to Ikom.

“Ikom has lost a dedicated public servant and a good man. Your life of service, humility and the impact you made will remain in the hearts of those you touched,” Gabriel wrote.

He also prayed for strength for the deceased’s family and colleagues, as well as the repose of his soul.

Details of Williams’ funeral arrangements were not immediately available at the time of filing this report.

Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed renewed speculation surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s records with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), insisting that there is nothing mysterious about the President’s background.

Omokri, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, also maintained that Tinubu has no criminal record.

According to him, FBI records are not necessarily evidence of criminality, arguing that individuals can have records with the agency without having committed any offence.

“I mean, the President’s true age is his declared age, the same age here, but let’s focus on this. The President has no criminal record.
“These are FBI records which everybody has. I have an FBI record. You have an FBI record,” he said.

The ambassador-designate further argued that the nature of information contained in such records could explain why some documents may not be made public.

Omokri cited a previous controversy involving Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, when a woman allegedly claimed that he fathered her child.

He recalled that the woman’s father had reportedly said he possessed documents that could establish Davido’s paternity status but could not release them publicly because they contained sensitive DNA information.

“Do you remember that? That is why the President does not want to release these FBI records, because the FBI records, they contain your DNA records. They contain your blood,” Omokri said.

His comments come amid renewed political scrutiny of Tinubu’s personal history and records ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures and political commentators continuing to raise questions about issues surrounding the President’s background.

Omokri, however, urged Nigerians to focus on what he described as the facts rather than treating the issue as a mystery surrounding the President.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed allegations that Governor Umo Eno instigated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize a Lagos property allegedly linked to former Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The government described the allegation as false and reckless, insisting that Governor Eno has never reported his predecessor to the anti-graft agency.

The denial followed a social media video by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in which he alleged that Governor Eno was responsible for drawing the EFCC’s attention to the property.

Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday in Uyo, the state Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the allegation was baseless and capable of unnecessarily inflaming political tension in the state.

Umanah said, “Ordinarily, the Government of Akwa Ibom would not dignify such a tissue of lies with a response.

However, given the apparent intention to incite the public and create tension, we have chosen to set the record straight.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Umo Eno has never reported anyone to the EFCC. I make bold to say that I have never reported anyone, let alone my predecessor in office, to the EFCC. I stand to be challenged or contradicted.”

The commissioner maintained that Eno had consistently demonstrated respect for former governors of the state and had pursued reconciliation and cordial relations with his predecessors.

He questioned why the governor would allegedly target members of the previous administration when his government had retained several officials who served under Emmanuel and continued projects initiated by past administrations.

“If Governor Eno were driven by any form of fury, why has he retained most of the persons who served under the former administration? Why has he continued and completed projects initiated by former Governors?” Umanah asked.

The state government urged Akpanudoedehe and other political actors to refrain from making allegations capable of undermining the peace and unity of Akwa Ibom.

It said the state had moved beyond what it described as “politics of falsehood, blackmail and manufactured controversies,” insisting that residents deserved a political culture centred on development, peace and responsible leadership.

The government further assured citizens that it would remain focused on the administration’s ARISE Agenda, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, aviation and other development programmes.

While accusing its political opponents of being preoccupied with unfounded allegations, the government said the Eno administration remained committed to governance and projects it claimed were improving the lives of Akwa Ibom residents.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates cleared to contest the 2027 National Assembly elections, setting the stage for a keen contest for seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the final lists for the two chambers of the National Assembly contain a total of 4,408 candidates.

According to an analysis of the candidate lists released by the electoral commission, former Enugu State Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Chijioke Edeoga, is listed as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Similarly, the incumbent Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Osita Ngwu, is listed as the APC candidate for the senatorial election in the zone.

Chief Kingsley Nweke, popularly known as Odaa Opuo, is listed as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial District.

INEC’s publication comes as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The commission’s official timetable also schedules the governorship and State House of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.

Of the 4,408 candidates contesting the National Assembly seats, 3,965 are male, while 443 are female.

For the Senate, the list comprises 1,080 male candidates and 115 female candidates.

The House of Representatives has 2,885 male candidates and 328 female candidates.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) fielded the highest number of female candidates across the two chambers, with 11 women contesting Senate seats and 42 contesting House of Representatives seats.

The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.

Under the resolution, all official trips to South Africa by senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, officials and staff have been suspended until further notice.

The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other programmes organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

Both physical and virtual participation in such engagements are affected by the resolution.

The National Assembly said it took the decision in response to reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

The lawmakers expressed particular concern over reports that Nigerians had been killed, injured and displaced, with some forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties.

According to the National Assembly, the incidents have continued despite repeated appeals by the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders to South African authorities to take decisive action to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice.

“In view of these developments and following consultations between the Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” the statement said.

The lawmakers, however, stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic, historical and people-to-people relations with South Africa.

Rather, they said, the measure was aimed at expressing concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.

The National Assembly called on the South African Government to take urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals within its territory.

It also demanded thorough investigations into reported attacks, the arrest of suspected perpetrators and the prosecution of those found culpable in accordance with the law.

The Clerk to the National Assembly has consequently been directed to communicate the resolution to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.

The leadership also urged state Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.

The National Assembly said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa, adding that the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice and would be reviewed as circumstances warrant.

Meanwhile, Cameroon has called for stronger economic cooperation with Nigeria, identifying agriculture, energy and transport as key areas with potential to deepen trade and investment between both countries.

The Director of Investment Promotion at the Investment Promotion Agency of Cameroon, Emmanuel Tamungang, made the call on the sidelines of the Invest in Lagos and Expo Forum in Lagos.

Tamungang described Nigeria as a major trading partner and an important gateway to West Africa, while noting that Cameroon could provide Nigerian businesses with access to the Central African market.

He said the two countries should strengthen cooperation in areas including transport infrastructure, customs, financial systems, agriculture, energy and maritime connectivity.

The Cameroonian official also disclosed that Nigeria would be invited as the guest country of honour at the fifth Cameroon Investment Forum, scheduled for November 18 to 20.

He said the forum would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s trade and investment opportunities while creating a platform for both countries to deepen economic cooperation.

Tamungang further advocated the revival of the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission and stronger private-sector partnerships, including chambers of commerce, to facilitate cross-border trade.

He identified agriculture, energy and transport as priority investment sectors capable of strengthening both economies and positioning Nigeria and Cameroon to benefit more from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).