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Peter Obi Backs Pastor Adeboye, Cautions Against Ethnic Division

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  The National Democratic Congress flagbearer, Peter Obi, has warned Nigerian youths against ethnic and religious divisions, urging them not to be used to promote narratives that undermine national unity. Obi stated this in a post on his X account on Thursday, amid a wave of social media attacks targeting the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over the worsening insecurity in the country. Many young Nigerians had demanded that Adeboye speak out or lead protests against the Federal Government, citing a viral photograph purportedly showing the cleric holding a placard during a demonstration against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. RCCG has since debunked the claim, clarifying that the image was taken during a peaceful walk organised under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and had no connection to any political protest. In his message, Obi said the 2023 general elections, particularly in Lagos State, offered lessons on how public discourse can be diverted from issues of governance and development into ethnic and identity-based sentiments. He said politicians who struggle to compete on ideas, performance and vision often resort to exploiting such divisions. “Throughout history, whenever politicians find it difficult to compete on ideas, performance, character, or vision, some resort to exploiting the fault lines of ethnicity, religion, and identity. Their calculation is simple: a divided people are easier to manipulate than a united people. “Today, I see similar efforts emerging again, sometimes in more subtle and sophisticated ways. Narratives are planted, amplified, and circulated, often by individuals who genuinely believe they are defending a worthy cause, without recognising the broader agenda behind such campaigns,” he said. Obi cautioned that many Nigerians often participate in such narratives without understanding the broader intent behind them. The former Anambra State governor defended Adeboye, describing him as a respected religious leader who has consistently preached peace, unity and reconciliation. He said it would be unfair to burden the cleric with responsibilities that belong to younger Nigerians, urging youths to take responsibility for driving national change. “Let me state clearly that Pastor Enoch Adeboye remains one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation. For decades, he has consistently preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation, and national unity. Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom, and grace. “At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them. “The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation. It is their duty to lead the conversations, champion the reforms, and drive the positive change our nation urgently requires,” Obi said. Obi further advised Nigerians to verify information, question narratives, and resist manipulation. “The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred, and who place our collective future above narrow interests,” he added.

NANS Backs NLC, NUT Protests Demanding Rescue of Abducted Students

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  The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has reiterated its resolve to ensure the rescue of abducted students and teachers nationwide, expressing support for the advocacy campaign led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to secure their safe release. NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, stated this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, amid growing concerns over the safety of students and education workers following recent abductions in parts of the country. Akinteye said the student body remained focused on ensuring that all abducted students and teachers regain their freedom, stressing that NANS would continue to engage relevant authorities and mobilise support for efforts geared towards their rescue. According to him, the association identifies with the concerns raised by organised labour, particularly the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, over the recurring incidents of kidnapping targeting schools and education personnel. “The safety of students and teachers must remain a national priority. NANS will continue to support every legitimate effort aimed at securing the release of those in captivity and preventing future occurrences,” he said. The NANS president said the recent wave of attacks on schools and education workers has created fear among students and parents, warning that insecurity could undermine access to education if urgent action is not taken. “Education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear. When students are afraid to go to school and teachers are uncertain of their safety, the future of the country is placed at risk. This is why all stakeholders must unite to confront this challenge,” he said. Akinteye added that NANS would continue to work with labour unions, parents, community leaders and security agencies to sustain pressure on the government until the abductees are rescued. “We commend the NLC and the NUT for standing up for the rights and safety of teachers and students. Their advocacy has helped draw national attention to the plight of the victims and the urgent need for stronger protection of schools,” he stated. While reaffirming support for the ongoing campaign, Akinteye stressed that the association’s primary concern remains the welfare of the victims rather than political considerations. “This is not the time for division or grandstanding. Our concern is the safe return of every abducted child and teacher. We must keep the focus on the victims and their families who are going through immense pain and uncertainty,” he said. The NANS president, however, distanced the association from groups he described as politically affiliated, insisting that the campaign for the rescue of abducted children should not be used as a platform for partisan interests. “We welcome support from all well-meaning Nigerians, but we believe advocacy on issues as sensitive as the lives of students and teachers must be driven by sincerity, responsibility and a genuine commitment to national interest,” he said. Akinteye also dismissed reports questioning his studentship status, describing the claims as false and reiterating that he remains a bona fide student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology. He urged media organisations to uphold professional standards by verifying information before publication, noting that misinformation could distract from the urgent task of addressing insecurity in schools. “We will continue to defend the interests of Nigerian students andightened hat attention remains on the plight of abducted students and teachers. Our priority is their safe return and the protection of educational institutions across the country,” he added. “We are calling on the Federal Government, security agencies and relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively. Every day spent in captivity is another day of trauma for the victims and their families. The rescue of these children and teachers must be treated as a matter of national urgency,” he added. The statement comes amid heightened concerns over the security of schools following the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for stronger measures to protect learning institutions. In response to the abduction, the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed its members to embark on a nationwide strike, citing growing insecurity and the need for urgent government action to safeguard teachers and pupils. The action received the backing of the Nigeria Labour Congress, which expressed solidarity with the teachers and demanded immediate steps to secure the release of those held captive. NANS had earlier mobilised students and stakeholders for advocacy activities in support of the victims, maintaining that the protection of schools and the safety of learners must remain a priority for governments at all levels.

I will Name Politicians Behind Oyo Students’ Abduction if… — Sunday Igboho

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  Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has threatened to expose politicians he claims are responsible for the abduction of students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The activist said this while speaking to the new executive members of the National Association of Nigerian Students led by Akinteye Bàbàtunde at his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan on Wednesday. In the now-trending video captured by Wisdom TV, Igboho asserted that he had personally volunteered to dislodge the bandits but was met with defiance by the state government. He also claimed that he had never demanded any money from the Seyi Makinde-led administration to rescue the 47 abductees. “If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so that they could be dislodged. I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. I know them. The politicians behind them are the ones giving them ammunition and money. “The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President. Suppose the recent abduction is not a game. In Oyo, they made away with children. I volunteered to go, but the state government said ‘No.’” “Later, they (Oyo government) informed me that the kidnappers said if I try to force myself to come rescue the children, they will kill them all. If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons,” he said. The Oyo-based activist further maintained that after he got approval from the Federal Government for his security network christened “Iru Ekun”, the Oyo State Government warned him from operating and that any attempt by him to rescue the children might lead to their death. “After I arranged ‘Iru Ekun’ security network, the Federal Government permitted me, but the state government said no security must take a step behind them. Do we have to wait for him to flood the forests to rescue these children? I’m just concerned about these abductees; nobody can kidnap me, not even my family, because they are spread across Canada and Germany. Why should I fret? “Despite how bad Buhari’s administration is, he completed his tenure. Why are they trying to stop a Yoruba man — Tinubu — from completing his? It was Tinubu who freed me when I was in exile. Why should I tackle him? And why are they trying to ruin his government? Igboho queried. Recall that on May 15, no fewer than 45 pupils were reportedly abducted during the Friday attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The schools attacked were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School. Sunday PUNCH gathered that tension is rising in the state following the incident. Security agencies are also said to have surrounded the possible escape routes of the assailants after they fled into a nearby forest reserve bordering Oriire communities and the Old Oyo National Park axis. A teacher at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Elizabeth Olagoke, told one of our correspondents that the kidnappers spoke Yoruba, Hausa, and Pidgin English. After a few days, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was gruesomely killed. Oyedokun was beheaded in a new video allegedly released by bandits on Sunday. The video obtained by our correspondent on Telegram on Monday showed that the teacher was gruesomely killed after being tied and forced to speak. This development led Igboho to seek approval to launch his security outfit, “Iru Ekun Security Network,” as part of efforts to dislodge criminal elements from the South-West forests. He also expressed his readiness to comply with the Executive Order recently issued by the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, to regulate the activities of private security firms in the state.

{Breaking} Owo Massacre: Four Sentenced to Death by Hanging 

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  The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging for their involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left more than 40 worshippers dead and over 100 others injured. The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, made the declaration after convicting Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services on behalf of the Federal Government. The court, however, discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, after finding insufficient evidence linking him to the terrorist attack. In the judgment, Justice Nwite held that the prosecution successfully established the guilt of the four convicts beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the evidence before the court clearly showed that they were members of, and active participants in, the activities of the terrorist group responsible for the deadly church attack. The court found that the convicts were principal members of an Al-Shabaab terrorist cell operating in Kogi State and that they took part in the assault on the church during a Pentecost service. According to the prosecution, the attackers stormed the church, held worshippers hostage, and unleashed violence that resulted in massive casualties and destruction. They were said to have used improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles in attacking furtherance of their extremist religious ideology. To establish its case, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements and a digital forensic examination report. Among the exhibits admitted by the court was a technophone device alleged to contain communications exchanged by the defendants before and after the attack. One of the prosecution witnesses, a Catholic priest who survived the incident, gave a chilling account of how the assailants detonated at least three explosive devices inside the church, triggering panic and bloodshed among worshippers. Justice Nwite held that the totality of the evidence presented by the prosecution firmly linked the four convicts to the attack and justified their conviction on the terrorism charges.

BREAKING: Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons Kidnapped in Ibadan, Family Calls for Calm

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  The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and a leading governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, has confirmed the abduction of his younger sister, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons by suspected gunmen in Ibadan. ‎In a statement issued on Wednesday by Adelabu’s Media Aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the family disclosed that the victims were kidnapped in the early hours of June 3, 2026, while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school. ‎According to the statement, the 43-year-old was reportedly intercepted by armed men at about 7:30 a.m. and forcefully taken away along with her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul. ‎The family described the incident as painful and distressing, noting that Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. ‎‎Before her voluntary retirement last year, she had built a distinguished career, serving at the Central Bank of Nigeria and later at First Bank Pension Custodian. Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making arrangements to reunite with her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States. ‎The statement revealed that security agencies were immediately alerted after the incident and have since commenced investigations aimed at securing the victims’ safe release and bringing the perpetrators to justice. ‎”We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime,” the statement said. ‎While expressing confidence in the capabilities of the security agencies, the family said Chief Adelabu and other relatives remain deeply troubled by the development but are hopeful that the victims will be rescued unharmed. ‎The family appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts. ‎It also called on anyone with useful information regarding the whereabouts of the victims or the circumstances surrounding the abduction to promptly provide such information to the appropriate security authorities. ‎The family assured that it would continue to cooperate fully with security agencies and provide updates as developments unfold, while also soliciting prayers and support from Nigerians during the difficult period.

Oriire School Attack: Protest Erupts in Ibadan as NUT Begins Indefinite Strike

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  Tension heightened in Oyo State on Monday as members of the Take-It-Back Movement took to the streets of Ibadan to protest the deteriorating security situation and the prolonged captivity of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area. The protest came barely 24 hours after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, directed public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to embark on an indefinite strike over the abduction of their colleagues and pupils. The demonstrators converged on Mokola Roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in Ibadan, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs while demanding urgent action from government and security agencies to secure the release of the victims and curb rising cases of kidnapping in the state. Some of the placards displayed during the protest bore inscriptions such as, “Security for all, not for a few,” “Government must end kidnapping in Oyo State,” “We demand safer roads and communities,” “Protect farmers, traders and students,” and “Peace, security and justice.” Speaking during the demonstration, one of the protesters said residents were becoming increasingly frustrated by the persistent insecurity across the country. “Let them know that the people of Nigeria are not at peace. Let them know that the people of Oyo State are not smiling. Let them know that the Nigerian people are fed up with insecurity,” the protester declared. The protest followed growing public outrage over the abduction of pupils, students and teachers during attacks on schools and surrounding communities in Ahoro-Esiele area of Oriire Local Government Area. The victims were reportedly kidnapped after armed men invaded the schools and nearby communities, triggering widespread fear among residents, parents and education stakeholders. Family members of the abductees have repeatedly appealed to the Oyo State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of their loved ones. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Oyo State Chairman, Hassan A. Fatai, and Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode, directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to withdraw their services beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, until further notice. The union said the directive became necessary due to the continued captivity of the abducted teachers and pupils, as well as growing fears over the safety of teachers and learners across the state. According to the statement, the prolonged detention of the victims has created anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school and heightened tension in affected communities. The NUT stated that the industrial action was intended to draw urgent attention to the need for government authorities and security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the release of the abductees without delay. “The union urges all teachers to comply fully with this directive, remain law-abiding and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike,” the statement read in part. The union also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils and their families, assuring members that engagements with relevant authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

Ogun Polytechnic Expels 365 Students Over Fake Results, Forged Transcript

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  Authorities of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, have expelled 365 students for securing admission into the institution with forged academic credentials and falsified documents. This was according to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Mr Yemi Ajibola and made available to journalists on Monday. The affected students, all enrolled in various Higher National Diploma programmes, were found to have presented fake National Diploma results and forged academic transcripts from different institutions to facilitate their admission into the Polytechnic. Ajibola said that “The expulsion followed a comprehensive verification exercise conducted on the credentials submitted by students during the admission and registration processes. “This decision underscores the Institution’s commitment to sanitising the academic system and reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy against fraudulent practices and other forms of academic misconduct” He added that the distribution of the expelled students showed that the School of Communication and Information Technology was worse hit with 156, followed by the School of Business and Management Studies with 117 students, the School of Science and Technology with 54, the School of Engineering with 36, while the School of Environmental Studies had only two students. The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Koye Jolaoso, has therefore cautioned prospective applicants and admission seekers against the use of fake academic credentials to gain admission into the Institution. Dr Jolaoso said that the decisive action reflects the polytechnic’s commitment to upholding academic integrity, promoting excellence, and repositioning the 47-year-old Institution as a model of transparency, credibility, and professionalism in tertiary education.

BREAKING: PSG Edge Arsenal on Penalties to Retain Champions League Title

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  French giants, Paris Saint Germain have edged Arsenal in a penalty shootout to win the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday. The match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes before the holders held their nerve from the spot to clinch the title.   More details later…

ADC Demands El-Rufai’s Release, Declares him ‘Prisoner of Conscience’

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  The National Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress has demanded the immediate release of Nasir El-Rufai, describing the former Kaduna State governor as a “prisoner of conscience.” The demand formed part of the resolutions reached at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja on Saturday, where party leaders also ratified the outcome of its recent primary elections and approved major organisational changes ahead of the 2027 general elections. In the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the NEC unanimously recognised El-Rufai as a victim of political persecution and called for his freedom. “The NEC recognises Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai as prisoner of conscience and calls for his immediate release,” the communiqué stated. The resolution is likely to heighten political debate over El-Rufai’s situation, particularly given his prominence in national politics and his recent association with opposition political forces seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections. A prisoner of conscience is someone detained or punished for their beliefs, identity, or peaceful expression, without having used or promoted violence. Beyond the demand for El-Rufai’s release, the party’s highest decision-making organ outside its national convention also moved to strengthen its internal structures as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum. According to the communiqué, the NEC approved the results of the party’s recently conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential elections across the country. However, the approval excluded contests where appeals were still pending as of May 29, 2026, as well as primaries yet to be concluded. “NEC approved the results of all recently conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly, State Governors, and the Presidential elections; except those with pending appeals as at May 29, 2026, and those yet to be concluded,” the party said. The decision comes amid complaints and petitions from some aspirants over the conduct of primaries in parts of the country. During the NEC meeting, party leaders stressed the need to preserve internal democracy while ensuring that disputes arising from the nomination process are resolved through established party mechanisms. The committee also approved a one-year extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee, effectively retaining the current leadership to oversee the party’s affairs through a critical period leading up to the 2027 polls. “NEC approved the extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) for a period of 12 months from the expiry of their current tenure,” the communiqué stated. The extension is expected to provide continuity in the party’s leadership as it seeks to consolidate its structures, expand its membership base and position itself as a major opposition platform. In a related decision, the NEC approved the constitution of caretaker committees at the zonal, state, local government and ward levels for a period of 12 months. “NEC approved the constitution of the Caretaker Committees at the Zonal, State, Local Government and Wards for a period of 12 months,” the communiqué added. The move is seen as part of efforts by the party leadership to reorganise and strengthen grassroots structures across the federation ahead of future electoral contests. The NEC meeting came barely hours after the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, urged members to remain united and focused on presenting the ADC as a credible alternative for Nigerians dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the country. Mark had told party leaders that Nigerians were increasingly searching for a political platform capable of addressing the nation’s security and economic challenges, stressing that the ADC must not fail to meet those expectations. With the ratification of most of its primary election results and the extension of its leadership structures, the ADC appears to be consolidating its internal organisation as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum. However, the party’s demand for the release of El-Rufai is likely to attract significant attention, potentially adding another dimension to the evolving political landscape as opposition parties seek to build alliances and expand their influence ahead of the next general election.  

Makinde Clinches APM Presidential Nomination

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  Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has been announced as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the 2027 general election. Makinde emerged at the party’s presidential primary held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday. In his acceptance speech, the governor said his ambition was driven by the need to restore hope and rebuild confidence in the country. He said, “I stand before you today (Saturday) with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “I believe that we possess the capacity to rebuild our economy through honesty, discipline and practical reforms. When I speak of practical reforms, I mean reforms that directly improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.” The governor promised reforms in the oil and gas sector, saying Nigerians should benefit more from the country’s natural resources. “Nigerians must benefit from the fact that we are an oil-producing nation, just as citizens of other resource-producing countries benefit from their natural wealth. “The NNPC must be reformed into a lean, efficient and commercially driven institution through proper corporate restructuring, stronger partnerships and institutional reforms,” he stated. Makinde also identified agriculture as a key area for economic growth, stressing the need to improve production, processing, storage and agricultural logistics. Makinde explained that his campaign would focus on competence and solutions rather than empty promises. Speaking at the event, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Jatau, endorsed Makinde’s candidacy and described him as a leader capable of moving Nigeria forward. “We are here on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to support, endorse and celebrate the emergence of our dear distinguished brother, Oluwaseyi Makinde, as the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement,” he said. Also speaking, APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle described the primary as peaceful and transparent.

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