Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has formally declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

Bello made the announcement during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other key stakeholders from the senatorial district.

A video of the visit, including his declaration, was later shared on his verified Facebook page.

Addressing the gathering, the former governor stated that he had accepted calls to represent the district at the National Assembly.

“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” he said.
The current Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, attended the event alongside other political leaders.

Reports indicate that Ododo urged Bello to heed appeals from party leaders and constituents who want him to contest the seat.

The appeal was said to have been made in the presence of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other influential figures from the area.

Bello served as governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024 and remains a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Reacting to the declaration, the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Amoka Eneji, congratulated Bello, describing him as a leader who had contributed significantly to the unity and development of the Ebira people.

Eneji noted that Bello’s role would remain notable in the history of Ebiraland.

The Kogi Central Senatorial seat is currently held by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who won the election in 2023. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer and former governorship aspirant, made history as the first woman to represent the district in the Senate.

There was a flurry of activities in Enugu on Saturday as Amechi Uwani, a foremost community in Enugu South Local Government Area, celebrated its annual Ofalla Festival in grand style.

The colourful event, held at Ofia-Utu, Amechi Uwani, featured the conferment of the community’s highest chieftaincy honour on Professor Victor Nnam, former Enugu State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development.  

The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Joseph O. Ogbodo, Ohachirieze II of Amechi Uwani, bestowed on Professor Nnam the revered title of Ugwu of Enugu, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to youth empowerment, community service and transformational leadership.

The prestigious honour crowns Professor Nnam’s lifelong commitment to societal development and the empowerment of young people within and beyond Enugu State.

Speaking shortly after receiving the title, Professor Nnam, a renowned professor of Geoinformatics and Surveying, expressed profound gratitude to the monarch and the entire Amechi Uwani community, describing the recognition as the pinnacle of honour.

He said there was no greater honour than being recognised by one’s king and community, pledging to live up to the expectations associated with the title.

“As the Ugwu of Enugu, I am solemnly committed to upholding the noble values of this exalted rank by guiding our youth towards excellence, promoting self-reliance, and inspiring positive change in our society,” he stated.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that the grand Ofalla Festival was held to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Igwe Ogbodo’s ascension to the throne.

The august gathering attracted community leaders, indigenes from all kindreds, and Amechi Uwani sons and daughters in the diaspora who returned home to partake in the celebration.

Several other distinguished sons and daughters of the community, both at home and abroad, were also honoured with various chieftaincy titles during the festival.

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that Professor Nnam had earlier, in August 2020, received the title of Ugwu-Eku of Amechi from his Umunnugwu kindred, in recognition of his contributions to community development.

On 20th December 2025, Professor Nnam was also conferred a chieftaincy title of “Nnanyelugo Abor” by the traditional Ruler of Abor ancient kingdom in Udi LGA.

Oseloka Obaze has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the anticipated defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Obaze, a former United Nations diplomat and one-time Secretary to the Anambra State Government, announced his decision in a Facebook post early Monday morning.

In the post, he disclosed that he had disengaged from partisan politics several months ago due to issues of principle but has now found a political home in the ADC.

“Eight months ago, I disengaged from partisan politics and from my erstwhile political party on grounds of principles. Today, I wish to announce that I’m now a proud card-carrying member of ADC. We walk the talk. We must rethink and reunite Nigeria. Much work lies ahead,” Obaze wrote.

Meanwhile, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, is expected to formally join the ADC on Wednesday in Enugu, the capital of the former Eastern Region.

Obi’s planned defection has continued to generate widespread political interest.

Gov. Makinde,

The Oyo State Government has dismissed allegations that Governor Seyi Makinde received and diverted ₦50 billion from the Federal Government to fund a presidential ambition, describing the claim as false and politically motivated.

Dr Sulaiman Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to the governor, made the clarification on Sunday while responding to comments credited to former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

He said the allegation was misleading and deliberately intended to distort facts.

According to Olanrewaju, the much-talked-about ₦50 billion was not a lump sum received by the state government but a support package promised by the Federal Government in the aftermath of the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.

He explained that only ₦30 billion of the promised amount was eventually released.

He further alleged that the remaining ₦20 billion was withheld after demands were made for inducements, which Governor Makinde reportedly rejected.

“The issue is not about what was promised but what was actually released and how it was utilised,” Olanrewaju said.

He noted that the ₦30 billion received was transparently deployed, with ₦4.5 billion paid directly to victims of the explosion, while the balance was used for reconstruction efforts, road repairs, enhanced security infrastructure, and plans for a memorial at the disaster site.

The media aide suggested that the renewed criticism of the governor was politically motivated, linking it to Makinde’s recent declaration that he would not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, despite backing him in the 2023 presidential election.

Olanrewaju described the attacks as acts of desperation, accusing some political actors of attempting to manipulate the Peoples Democratic Party’s structures in Oyo State.

He urged Nigerians to focus on verifiable facts and the performance of the Makinde administration, rather than what he termed half-truths and political mischief.

“Governor Makinde has been consistent in his refusal to yield to coercion or intimidation. He has chosen to stand by his principles, regardless of political pressure,” he said.

Former Minister of Education and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of enabling terrorism through what she described as an appeasement strategy.

Ezekwesili, who is also the founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance and a former Vice President of the World Bank, said the Federal Government often had opportunities to decisively neutralise terrorists but instead chose to “cuddle” them.

She made the remarks in a post on her X handle while reacting to the recent abduction and subsequent release of pupils and teachers of St Mary’s Private Catholic School in Niger State.

According to her, both federal and state governments, under the current leadership, have continued to reward criminal behaviour by negotiating with terrorists rather than holding them accountable.

“It is accurate to state that our federal and state governments, led at this time by President Bola Tinubu, are, by their appeasement strategy, enabling terrorists by rewarding their criminal behaviour,” she said.

Ezekwesili argued that a capable Nigerian state in the past would never have tolerated such actions, stressing that the Constitution places a duty on government to protect the lives and property of citizens, especially children.

She lamented that since terrorism escalated in 2009, successive administrations had failed to decisively confront armed groups operating across the country.

“Our past and present governments, in escalating degrees, have failed to effectively tackle terrorists who take up arms against Nigerians and the Nigerian state,” she said.

The former minister blamed the situation on years of grand corruption, which she said weakened Nigeria’s security institutions and forced governments into adopting appeasement as a default policy.

Ezekwesili also criticised what she described as triumphalist statements by government officials announcing the release of abducted victims without disclosing details of negotiations, including who was engaged, at what cost and under what conditions.

She warned that the lack of transparency surrounding negotiations with terrorists was fuelling corruption and increasing the country’s vulnerability.

According to her, the failure to arrest, prosecute or eliminate known perpetrators sends a dangerous signal that crimes have no consequences.

“It is insane that government officials claim proximity to deadly criminals during so-called negotiations yet take no steps to arrest or neutralise them,” she said.

Ezekwesili further argued that the continued wave of abductions across the country was the result of weak governance and the absence of a clear strategy to end terrorism.

She concluded by urging Nigerians to confront what she described as leadership failure, warning that insecurity would persist unless those in power are held accountable for protecting lives and restoring safety across the country.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as one of the finest politicians in Nigeria, crediting him as a major influence on his political growth.

Yilwatda made the remarks on Saturday while receiving a traditional title in Plateau State.

He was conferred with the title “Kaeh-rit,” meaning “the good seed of Ampang East,” at a ceremony held in Kanke Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking after the event, the APC national chairman said President Tinubu had played a significant role in shaping his political journey, noting that he continues to learn from the President’s leadership style and experience.

According to him, Tinubu remains one of the best politicians anyone can learn from in Nigeria, adding that his own political progress is largely a reflection of the mentorship he has received from the President.

He said his goal is to build on those lessons and contribute meaningfully to national development.

At the ceremony, Yilwatda also announced the donation of ₦10 million, along with seedlings and other agricultural inputs, to farmers in the local government area.

He said the gesture was in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen food security and reduce poverty through increased agricultural productivity.

Commenting on recent political developments in Plateau State, Yilwatda welcomed the defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the APC, noting that the move would enhance cooperation between the state and the Federal Government.

He said a unified political structure would help align national, state and local government resources for the benefit of the people.

He further stressed that the APC does not discriminate among its members, stating that new entrants enjoy the same rights and opportunities as long-standing members of the party.

According to him, political unity would ensure effective governance and development at all levels.

Yilwatda added that the alignment of party structures would help ensure that national budgets and grassroots governance systems work cohesively to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau State.

The traditional honour marks the second title conferred on Yilwatda within two weeks, following a similar recognition by the Tiv Nation in Benue State for his humanitarian efforts.