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Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket Will Unsettle Tinubu: DANIEL NNAMANI

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Obi-Kwankwaso

Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket Will Unsettle Tinubu: DANIEL NNAMANI

Obi-Kwankwaso ticket will unsettle Tinubu. Twenty-four hours, as they say, in politics is a long time. The pendulum can swing from north to south. As the 2027 general election draws closer, political gladiators are, from all indications, regrouping and forming different alliances to further and consolidate their political interests.

While the glaring truth is that the opposition parties — PDP, LP, NNDP, and ADC — are all in tatters, there seems to be a way out if they truly want to offer an alternative to Nigerians.

The PDP, a party that once boasted that it would govern Nigeria for 50 years, is now a shadow of itself, mired by protracted internal wrangling that has led to the massive defection of its governors to the APC, except for Oyo state’s Seyi Makinde and his Bauchi state counterpart, Bala Mohammed. Without mincing words, the party seems decimated, and as it continues its power struggle among the two factions — one loyal to Makinde and another to FCT minister, Nyesom Wike — it will be practically impossible for the party to field any presidential candidate in 2027.

Now that the PDP is almost obliterated, the exit of Peter Obi from the LP has also rendered the party unviable for any meaningful contest in the upcoming election. This means that the only party that can field a candidate to challenge Tinubu is the ADC. But the ADC as a party seemed to be dominated more by politicians who are more concerned with becoming the party’s standard bearer, rather than forming a formidable platform that will rally around a credible candidate who has a chance to cling to victory in 2027.

The upcoming election will be basically between the APC and others, so the party has a duty to present a candidate with organic support that can withstand the APC’s power of incumbency. Make no mistakes, no party as of now can fight the APC in terms of established political structures, institutional manoeuvring, and financial war-chest to win an election in today’s Nigeria.

From every indication, the ruling party has performed abysmally low in most key indicators of governance. From security to economy to education and healthcare, the numbers are not really in favour of the APC. While it might be argued that the macroeconomic indicators are positive, what matters to the ordinary Nigerian, who is the voter, is the food on his table. The APC, in simple terms, has pauperised Nigerians, and it is indisputable.

Now is the time for the ADC to get that candidate who has large followers who are politically conscious and can galvanise towards the party without monetary inducement. Peter Obi has that organic followership. In the 2023 presidential election, he took an obscure LP to national prominence with his promise of financial probity, which resonated so well with urban and young voters. That large followership can be consolidated by the ADC.

As part of the Eid al-Fitr celebration, Obi has journeyed to Kano, where he was welcomed at the residence of NNPP national leader, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso. At the gathering, members of the Kwankwasiya movement were also seen chanting “Obi-Kwankwaso,” and that chant might really be the joint ticket that can stand against Tinubu.

It has been reported that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is midwifing a joint ticket between Obi and Kwankwaso. And Kwankwaso himself has hinted that if he is offered a vice presidential slot in the ADC, he would be willing to accept it. But many fear that if Atiku gets the ticket of the ADC, then Kwankwaso’s defection becomes meaningless as he cannot deputise a northerner.

Kwankwaso, with his Kwankwasiya movement, and Obi, with his Obidient movement, can change the narrative of opposition and give Tinubu a run in the 2027 presidential election. This is because both movements are organic, and with Obi having a large followership in the south and Kwankwaso’s followership up north, the party, ADC, will be a party to beat in the next election.

Atiku Abubakar has a role to play in ensuring that ADC succeeds in the next election, but that role requires him to become a kingmaker rather than the king himself.

Obi-Kwankwaso

Obi-Kwankwaso

While it is his constitutional right to vie for any political office, there comes a time in a man’s life when he will take the back stage and allow fresh minds to have the day. History beckons to Atiku to do so.

Furthermore, the ADC can also explore the option of bringing the faction of the PDP that is loyal to Makinde to join the party and form a formidable opposition that has both resources and structures to win the election.

The ball is in their court, and how they play it will determine whether Nigerians will have an alternative to the APC in 2027. Time is ticking, and the earlier the ADC comes to this realisation, the better. A stitch in time saves nine.

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Retired Police Officers and Families Again Protest in Abuja, Demand Exit From Contributory Pension Scheme

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Retired Police Officers and Families Again Protest in Abuja, Demand Exit From Contributory Pension Scheme

Retired Nigerian police officers, alongside their wives and children, on Monday took to the streets of Abuja to protest what they described as years of neglect under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Eereporter.com

The protesters, who said they served the country for as long as 35 years before retirement, demanded that the Federal Government urgently remove retired police personnel from the scheme and address what they described as persistent challenges affecting their pensions and welfare.

Carrying placards and voicing their grievances, the retirees said their years of service to Nigeria had not translated into a decent or secure retirement.

According to them, despite dedicating decades of their lives to the Nigeria Police Force, many retired officers are still struggling with pension-related challenges and inadequate welfare.

One of the retired officers lamented that they had become a liability after years of service, questioning why retired police personnel should continue to face hardship after spending decades protecting the country.

The retirees also compared the treatment of former police officers with the government’s response to pension and welfare concerns involving retired military personnel, arguing that retired police officers deserve similar attention and support.

The protesters said their decision to take to the streets followed prolonged neglect of their concerns by relevant authorities.

They called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to urgently review the pension arrangements affecting retired police officers and consider their demand for a total exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Police

Police

They also appealed to the government to improve the welfare of retired police officers, saying those who spent their productive years serving and protecting the country should not be left to struggle after retirement.

The protesters urged the Tinubu’s administration and relevant government agencies to intervene in the matter and provide a lasting solution to their pension concerns.
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Full List: NAF Mourns 25 Lives Lost in 931 Aircraft Accident in Ondo

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NAF Aircraft

Full List: NAF Mourns 25 Lives Lost in 931 Aircraft Accident in Ondo

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives following the accident involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
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The CAS described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, expressing heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives. He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period.

NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found. The crew members were:

CREW
1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)
5. Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)

PASSENGERS
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola

The CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

NAF Aircraft

NAF Aircraft

A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force

6 October 2026
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Governor Eno Declares State of Emergency on Education, Approves N2.1bn Teachers’ Welfare Package

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Umo Eno

Governor Eno Declares State of Emergency on Education, Approves N2.1bn Teachers’ Welfare Package

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency on education in the state, approving a major welfare package for public school teachers and financial support for registered private schools.
Governor Eno made the declaration on Monday during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Uyo Township Stadium.
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Under the new intervention, the Governor approved a N50,000 wardrobe allowance and N10,000 transport allowance for each of the 21,167 public school teachers across Akwa Ibom State.

He also approved a N500,000 support grant for each of the 1,776 registered private schools in the state.
The Governor further approved the recruitment of 2,000 additional teachers into the state civil service, saying the recruitment portal would be opened soon.
He urged qualified Akwa Ibom indigenes to take advantage of the opportunity when the recruitment process begins.

As part of the emergency measures, Governor Eno announced the constitution of an Education Emergency Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, with the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, and other members.
The committee is expected to undertake a comprehensive turnaround of the state’s education sector by identifying and addressing critical gaps and repositioning the system to meet the objectives of the administration’s ARISE Agenda.

Speaking on teachers’ welfare, Governor Eno rejected the traditional saying that teachers’ rewards are only received in heaven, insisting that teachers deserve to benefit from their service while still alive.

“Teachers’ reward is in heaven, but I say no. Teachers’ reward is here. My belief is that your reward begins here,” the Governor said.

Governor Eno also highlighted other interventions by his administration in the education sector, including the construction of 38 model primary schools across the 31 local government areas, payment of WAEC and NABTEB fees for secondary school students and the clearance of outstanding contributory pension obligations.
He disclosed that about N2.4 billion in outstanding teachers’ gratuities had also been paid, stressing that teachers’ welfare remained a major component of his administration’s investment in education.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, commended the Governor for what he described as significant interventions in the education sector, particularly measures aimed at improving teachers’ welfare and creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Comrade Edet Emenyi, also expressed the union’s support for the administration, citing its interventions in the education sector and attention to teachers’ welfare.

Umo Eno

Umo Eno

Similarly, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunny James, commended the administration for addressing outstanding teachers’ gratuities.

At the event, Governor Eno also announced the formal transition of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education into the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, following the passage of the enabling law by the State House of Assembly.
He subsequently announced Professor Philip Afaha as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the newly established university.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in education, describing the sector as a long-term investment in the future of Akwa Ibom rather than an avenue for political competition.
Eereporter.com

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