Abdulsalami Tells INEC Boss: Be Fair To All Parties, Resist Political Pressures

The Former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial and ensure justice to all political parties regardless of political pressure.
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Abubakar gave the advice on Friday when the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), alongside his national commissioners, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Minna, Niger.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the INEC management team also paid a visit to another former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), at his Minna residence.

Pledging his support for INEC ahead of the upcoming Osun governorship poll and the 2027 general elections, Abubakar urged the commission to ensure that all elections were free, fair, credible and conducted on a level playing field.

The elder statesman acknowledged the demanding nature of leading the electoral body, describing the office of the INEC Chairman as one of the most critical and challenging roles in Nigeria’s democratic framework.

“Your appointment is very, very critical to our democratic setting.

“With the politicians, you need to do a lot to gain their confidence because whatever you and your commissioners do, you will stand accused of bias one way or another.

“If anybody in the political system loses an election, you become the whipping child. They will find excuses to claim that INEC has done something wrong.

“However, with the confidence we have in you, I am absolutely sure and I pray that you will do the best you can for this country,” Abubakar said.

He advised the electoral chief and his team to remain steadfast, ignore unwarranted distractions and strictly abide by their oath of offices.

“The INEC Chairman cannot do this job alone, but the buck stops with you. I am absolutely sure that you will abide by the oath you took.

“You must do justice to all and sundry. All political parties are yours; you do not have any political party to call your own.

“So, I wish you well and advise that you close your ears and shut your eyes, because no matter what you do, political parties will have to claim you have done something wrong. That is the nature of Nigerians.

“I hope and pray you take it in good faith because our democracy depends on all of you,” he added.

He disclosed that the National Peace Committee would hold a strategic meeting in Abuja on July 29, ahead of the official signing of the Peace Accord on July 30 for the Osun governorship election.

He highlighted the Osun election as a crucial test run for the 2027 general elections and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting peaceful, transparent and credible elections across Nigeria.

Earlier in his remarks, Amupitan reassured Nigerians that their votes would count in both the Osun election and the 2027 general elections.

He noted that the visit was to honour the elder statesmen on their contributions to national stability, democracy and peacebuilding and seek their supports and pray toward successful conduct of Osun and 2027 general elections.

Amupitan praised the former leader’s leadership of the NPC, noting that the Peace Accord initiative had provided a vital platform for political actors to commit to non-violence.

“Your initiative and intervention, especially the Peace Accord, have not only provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, but have also strengthened the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.

“This prevails against disharmony and discord, for which INEC is forever grateful to you, sir.

“We also congratulate you on your recent 84th birthday anniversary and recognise your contributions to national unity.

“Since the transition period in 1999, you have been involved in peacebuilding not just in Nigeria, but across Africa. History will be kind to you,” Amupitan said.

The INEC Chairman confirmed that the Osun governorship election will hold on Aug. 15, with the Peace Accord signing set for July 30 in Osogbo.

Abdulsalami, Amupitan

He also reaffirmed that the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Jan. 16, 2027, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Feb. 6, 2027.

Amupitan was accompanied by the national commissioner and Residents Electoral Commissioner for Niger and other management staff members of the commission.
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AIR Force Girls’ Comprehensive School Abuja Celebrates Historic Graduation, Sets New UTME Records

The Air Force Girls’ Comprehensive School (AFGCS), Abuja, on Friday, 24 July 2026, celebrated a historic graduation as it graduated 114 students during its 7th Graduation Ceremony, with the Class of 2026 setting unprecedented academic records in the school’s history. The remarkable achievements included a 100 per cent promotion rate from SS2 to SS3, over 90 per cent of the graduands scoring 200 and above in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the highest number of students ever to score 300 and above, and a record-breaking highest individual UTME score of 334.
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Speaking at the ceremony, the Commandant of AFGCS, Wing Commander RA Ajayi, commended the graduands for their exceptional academic performance and exemplary character, describing their success as the product of discipline, consistency, determination and collective responsibility. While celebrating the outstanding UTME results, she emphasised that the school’s greatest achievement remained the character, values and leadership qualities instilled in its students. She expressed confidence that the graduating class would replicate its impressive performance in the forthcoming WAEC and NECO examinations.

Representing the Chief of the Air Staff as Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of Administration, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal AA Martins, congratulated the graduating students, parents and staff, while applauding the remarkable transformation of the school in academics, discipline, infrastructure and co-curricular activities. He reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to advancing education in line with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal SK Aneke, which prioritises personnel welfare and well-being for enhanced operational effectiveness. He noted that sustained investments in educational infrastructure, learning facilities and school security reflect the Service’s commitment to nurturing disciplined, innovative and responsible future leaders.

Air Vice Marshal Martins urged the graduating students to uphold the values of discipline, integrity and excellence instilled in them by the school as they transition to tertiary institutions. He cautioned them against social vices such as cybercrime, cultism, drug abuse and examination malpractice, encouraging them to remain focused, embrace innovation and become worthy ambassadors of the school, the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.

He also congratulated the award recipients on their outstanding achievements and encouraged other students to remain resilient in their pursuit of excellence.

AIR Force Girls’ Comprehensive School

The ceremony also featured the presentation of awards to outstanding students and recognition of teachers, parents and other stakeholders whose unwavering support has continued to advance the school’s mission of delivering quality education and nurturing future female leaders.

The event reaffirmed AFGCS Abuja’s reputation as one of the Nigerian Air Force’s leading educational institutions, distinguished by academic excellence, leadership development and character formation.
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EFCC Arraigns CEO For Alleged N20m Dud Cheque Fraud In Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, arraigned Mahwash Benedict Luka and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited before Justice A.A. Fashola of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Jabi, Abuja. They were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering alleged issuance of dishonoured cheques.
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Count one reads: “That you Mahwash Benedict Luka while being the Managing Director of Bennicle Investment Limited on 29th day of November 2023 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did issue a First City Monument Bank Plc Cheque with Cheque no 0024633617with the face value of N10,000,000 to First Bank Nigeria Plc, which when presented was dishonored due to insufficient funds and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Dishonored Cheques Act and punishable under Section 1(i) (ii) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you Mahwash Benedict Luka while being the Managing Director of Bennicle Investment Limited on 29th day of August 2016 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did issue Sterling Bank Plc Cheque with Cheque no 60911474 with the face value of N10,000,000.00 to First Bank Nigeria Limited, which when presented was dishonored due to insufficient funds and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Dishonored Cheques Act and punishable under Section 1(i) (i) of the same Act.”

The 1st defendant Mahwash Benedict Luka on behalf of himself and Bennicle Investment Nigeria Limited pleaded not guilty to the two counts preferred against them.

The matter was subsequently adjourned for hearing of the bail application

EFCC

At the resumed sitting, on Friday, counsel to the defendants, I. Ashom, moved the bail application filed on behalf of the 1st defendant but informed the court that no separate bail application had been filed for the 2nd defendant. He, however, urged the court to exercise its discretion and grant bail to both defendants, noting that the 1st defendant is the Managing Director of the 2nd defendant company.

Justice Fashola granted bail to both defendants in the sum of N10 million (Ten Million Naira) with one surety who must be a person of reputable character with a verifiable address.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till October 22, 2026, for commencement of trial.
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