Urges More Commitment To Serving Edo People

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has congratulated the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, on the Appeal Court judgement which affirmed his electoral victory in the September 2024 governorship poll.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike urged the governor to “remain focused and committed to good governance and provision of democracy dividends to the people.”

The Minister described the Appeal Court judgment as a further confirmation of the mandate freely and genuinely given to Okpebholo by the people of Edo State.

He reiterated his belief in Governor Okpebholo’s ability to continue to provide good governance, saying; “I have watched him since he assumed office and I can say that he has been doing well for Edo State and its people.

“For me, I believe in him, and I am confident that his government will have sustainable impact on Edo State.” 

While urging the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, to accept the Appeal Court judgement in good faith, the FCT Minister said he (Ighodalo) should in the collective interest of Edo State accept the judgement and allow the sleeping dogs of the election to lie.

The United States says it will begin revoking visas of Chinese students and tighten screening for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, the US State Department said on Thursday.

“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media platform X.

In a press release, the State Department stated that it would also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.

It was not immediately clear how many students currently in the United States would be affected or whether any exemptions would apply.

According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), about 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled at U.S. universities during the 2023-2024 academic years, making them the second-largest group of international students after those from India.

The U.S. already applies strict visa rules for Chinese nationals in certain academic disciplines, particularly in science and technology.

China’s Foreign Office said it filed a complaint against the unjustified step.

Washington’s discriminatory actions expose the lie of freedom and openness that the U.S. has always boasted about, said spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing.

The new measures come amid reports that the State Department has halted new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it reviews screening procedures, including expanded checks on social media activity.

The pause reportedly affects F, M and J visa categories, including those for students, interns and au pairs, with further instructions expected in the coming days.

However, relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated further since U.S President Donald Trump took office in January.

The two economic powers are engaged in a deepening trade dispute and competing for global influence across multiple fronts.

With the official birth of the opposition coalition spearheaded by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, there are permutations over how the movement would transform into a force within the next one year.

The coalition came to limelight at a time when Nigeria is experiencing a gale of defections to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as part of efforts to ensure Tinubu returns to power in 2027.

Amid the defections, the coalition has been able to pull together other bigwigs like Atiku, Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, among others. 

During its meeting in Abuja under the aegis of National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) North, the coalition brought together imminent Nigerians like Obi, Amaechi, former Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Others were a former Senate president and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed; a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali; a former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; a former All Progressives Congress’ national vice chairman (North), Salihu Lukman; Senator Ben Obi and a former Minister of Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The gathering of these imminent politicians has brought to the fore the seriousness of the movement, just as the group is shopping for a political party to adopt.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ralph Okey Nwosu, hinted that discussions over the choice of the party as the vehicle for the coalition will be concluded in the next one or two weeks.

Nwosu said various committees set up by the party have met with those involved in the talks.

Peter Obi’s one step in one step out

From the onset, Atiku, Obi, and El-Rufai are the “poster boys” of the coalition but the former Anambra State governor had declared that he would continue to run under the Labour Party “for now.”

Despite insisting that he is an LP member, Obi has remained a very important figure in the coalition movement.

Speaking to DAILY POST, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Tanko Yunusa had said: “He spoke at a coffee party in Abuja where he was asked if he will still run under the Labour Party and he said he’s still a member and will run under the party ‘for now,’ he put it under a caveat ‘for now.”

Obi’s involvement confusing, an affront – LP

Frowning at Obi’s involvement, the Labour Party, LP, described the coalition project as an affront to its leadership.

Obiorah Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, said the party is confused as to Obi’s stance regarding the platform he wants to use for the 2027 election.

A statement Ifoh shared with DAILY POST, reads partly: “His Excellency, Peter Obi, hours after he spoke of his intention to run under the Labour Party, was on Sunday (yesterday) seen in a meeting of a pro-coalition group in Abuja without the permission and consent of the Labour Party leadership.

“This to us is really confusing and we think that Peter Obi has not come to terms with his intentions for the 2027 presidential race.

“We have consistently said that the Labour Party will not go into any coalition or merger of any sort ahead of the 2027 general election, therefore Obi’s continued association with the coalition is not only distasteful but unacceptable to the party.

“It is also an affront to the party’s leadership and we view his position as a total disregard to the party’s right to make decisions binding its affairs.

“We are therefore by this statement letting Nigerians know that the presidency for 2027 is open to anyone who wants to run under the platform of the party.”

Coalition can become a force ahead of 2027, push Tinubu into concession – Ononuju

The former Special Adviser to Obi on Public Affairs when he was governor of Anambra State, Katchy Ononuju, said the coalition can become a force that will wrest power from Tinubu in 2027 if it’s willing to avoid the pitfalls that led to crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Ononuju said the members should trust Obi who has the largest movement backing him while bringing together all parties within.

He told DAILY POST that: “The idea of a coalition for me is the final waking up period for the opposition, if they understand why the opposition was torn apart, they can fix it and everybody will come back together.

“The opposition died in Nigeria due to the inability of Atiku and other leaders to respect zoning, that was why the Southerners broke out of the PDP and they could not come together.

“It’s a good thing to come together to talk and call it an alliance, but you also need to go back to fundamentally resolve this problem.

“It’s eight years and Tinubu has it now, meaning it’s only two years in the South – the coalition can find Southern members they can trust and go behind such people.

“What killed opposition in Nigeria is the refusal of the PDP to zone and that’s why they broke into different branch – Peter Obi left to start the Obidient Movement, Kwankwaso left and started NNPP, so by the time elections came the party has gotten so weak, the party’s problem has continued to the extent that people now have to come outside the party to be able to call meetings with other politicians from different parties and different persuasions in Nigeria.

“If they can come together, it will be a very good thing for this democracy because every democracy needs a good opposition but to come together peacefully, they need to understand the real reason why the opposition split.

“If they can assist to find a Southerner who is very popular and all of them will join hands, then we can talk of fixing the opposition. That also will force concessions from the hands of President Tinubu because his nepotism is replicating Buhari’s bad ways and I don’t think that is good for our country.

“Nepotism should not be a state policy and I condemn it. The coming together of the opposition will force Tinubu to lose his nepotic replay of Buhari’s exclusion policy against the rest of the country.

“If well organized – you saw what Obi did with just eight months to elections – if you now have such a force established two years to election – people will start coming together and that would make the president sit up, not minding the thoughts of somebody writing results.

“Look at the Kano principle, how many people are on the streets of Kano? The word says they are up to 500,000 people, the government won’t go out to kill them? You see, rigging persists because of the people, if the people say no we would stay on the streets, they won’t kill them all.

“I see the region that is very known for putting the people on the streets – the North – are not very much with Tinubu.

“It wouldn’t be very easy for him but one good thing I believe will come out of this is that Tinubu will start reacting towards inclusion, he would make appointments from the North, from the East, and that may not be good enough. He needs to reshuffle his cabinet and bring in more people to build a better Nigeria.

“I’m surprised Tinubu is such a failure in the issues of inclusion, nepotism may have worked under Buhari, he used it to flood the security services, now the police and Army can’t stop the Fulani war.

“Politicians from the North who are impressed with the work Obi has done, they will have to find a way to accommodate him because you need to understand the fundamental reason why we left the PDP to start the youth movement.

“After eight years from the North, it was time to zone but PDP refused to zone and that was why Obi left, I left, Doyin Okupe left, if we need to solve the problems outside the mechanism of the party, it does not change the issues or fundamental reason why we left, so for us to come back, there has to be trust.

“Now that the presidency is already in the South, I’m sure they can trust Obi because he has some capacity. He had nobody but got more than six million votes, while Atiku had all the structures with him, that tells you that Obi has momentum; we should begin to find people that will work with him – Atiku is good but at 80-year-old, no, let’s get the younger people to do this thing.

“Peter Obi has said when he is 76, he will get out of politics, we won’t expect a man of 80 to rule, if they can trust Peter, we will be able to form a formidable opposition.”

Obidient movement rejects VP slot

While there is uncertainty over the possible flag bearer and his running mate for the coalition when a political party is finally adopted, the choice of Atiku and Obi continues to stand out among the imminent personalities.

But, Ononuju, a founding member of the Obidient Movement has declared that they won’t accept the Vice presidential slot for Obi.

Ononuju insisted that the Obidient Movement will only back Obi if he becomes the presidential candidate.

He said: “The members of the Obidient Movement will not agree to work with Obi if he is not the presidential candidate on any ticket he runs on. And because he will not dare to disobey the wishes of the movement, he will not hurt them and I think that is the biggest problem they have.

“Having him around, him being quiet while you talk doesn’t mean he’s afraid – no – he has to answer to the people who follow him.

“I don’t think our laws allow that, with the current momentum, I don’t know if the laws allow Atiku to do Vice Presidency for a third time, he has done it twice, I don’t know what the law says. If two of them get there, Atiku will be VP for a third time.

“Now that we have momentum within the political space, Obi is the most popular politician in Africa, let us run with it, it’s a collective nation building effort. Let him be meeting all those people so that they can see his capacity for power.

“If they can support him, we can correct the fundamental problem that was the mistake of the PDP when they refused to zone the presidency to the South and that’s where the party got it wrong. The movement will support Obi if he is at the top of any ticket.

“Obi draws adrenaline from the frenzy in the crowd, he is just the face of a masquerade which is the people. Like you saw the alliance meeting, those were people gathered in numbers with regards to the decrees of the military.

“Peter owns the crowd on the streets. Let us work with that because we have something that if you put it in front of the masquerade, people will know that we are coming.

“Southerners who mostly support Peter will not join in removing the presidency from here. One thing Nigeria has gained is the slow down in the deaths in the East, Tinubu’s government has stopped the funding and support for the elements that are responsible for unknown gunmen sting operations.

“Nobody has a movement like the Obidient Movement, they will not support Peter at all if he is not at the top in any alliance. His movement is like a cult, nobody amongst them has the cult followers Peter has, which has surpassed the Buhari followership.”

Coalition: Obi’s involvement a calculated shot at winning presidency

On his part, activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has described it as a calculated political move to win the Presidency.

As a solo politician from the Southeast, Idam said the closest Obi can get to the Presidency under the current Nigerian electoral system is his performance at the last election because the APC-led government will not allow him replicate his feat in the last election.

He said: “Peter Obi’s involvement in the Coalition may not go down well with the Obidients, but his move remains a calculated political option, if he must take a shot (win) at the president.

“He is today, the most adorable political bride. No doubt!

“Many, including me, believe he would have won the 2023 election if INEC exhibited the minimum standard of electoral integrity. Unfortunately, the BIVAS and IREV failed to load.

“Today, if the election is conducted again, Peter Obi would hardly score half of his last votes. The ruling party would deploy every fraudulent style this time to rig him out before ballot materials are distributed on the election day.

“He wouldn’t win Lagos again and will hardly be able to win the FCT and many other states that he won in the last election.

“The mercenaries of the ruling party would not let that happen again. They are more audacious and reckless now than ever before, with their desire to remain in power.

“And they are determined to achieve that against every odds.

“With Peter Obi’s alliance with the coalition, he will at least enjoy the umbrage of a likely winning team and would stand a chance at the Presidency, if not now but later.”

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has attributed the delay in administering the 2025 English Language exam on Wednesday to intensified measures aimed at preventing examination malpractice, especially the leakage of question papers.

In a statement issued on Thursday, WAEC acknowledged the disruption experienced by candidates during the English Language Paper 2, which was scheduled for May 28 but held several hours behind schedule in many centres nationwide.

Videos and photos circulated on social media showed students sitting for the examination as late as 10pm, relying on torchlights and lanterns due to power outages, a situation that sparked outrage and renewed concerns about examination planning and student welfare.

WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, said the examination body’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the examination contributed significantly to the delay.

“While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper.

“While we successfully achieved our objective, it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.,” Adesina said.

The examination body also pointed to other compounding factors such as logistical challenges, security concerns, and sociocultural dynamics, which disrupted operations in some areas.

To prevent a recurrence, WAEC said it is working with security agencies to streamline the process and improve operational efficiency in subsequent exams.

“Despite our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and sociocultural factors that negatively influenced our operations.

“In order to forestall future occurrences of this nature, the council is currently collaborating with security agencies,” the statement added.

WAEC apologised to students, schools, and parents for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and thanked all stakeholders for their understanding during what it described as a “challenging period”.

The examination body reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of its exams and promoting academic excellence across the region.

“We recognise the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on the candidates, their schools and parents, and we sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused,” Adesina added.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported on the troubling scenes from several WAEC centres across the country, including videos showing students sitting forexams in dark classrooms using flashlights and kerosene lanterns.

One such incidents was recorded in Delta State, where candidates reportedly began their exam late in the evening due to delayed arrival of papers.

The 2025 WASSCE for school candidates commenced on April 24 and is scheduled to end on June 20.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo for being validly conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

The Appellate Court on Thursday also held that Governor Okpebholo was properly returned and declared as winner of the September 24, 2024 gubernatorial election.

Justice Mohammed Danjuma who delivered judgment in the appeal brought before the court by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and it’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo held that appeal was devoid of merit and subsequently dismissed it in its entirety.

Justice Danjuma said that both PDP and Ighodalo failed to establish miscarriage of justice in the judgment of the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier dismissed the petition of the two appellants.

The court of appeal judgment is a unanimous decision of the 3-man panel of Justices of the court.

Nigeria's security situation has dramatically deteriorated during President Bola Tinubu's first two years in office, with armed groups and bandits killing more than 10,000 people across seven states, according to a comprehensive investigation by Amnesty International.

The human rights organization documented at least 10,217 deaths between May 2023 and May 2025 in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. Benue State recorded the highest casualties with 6,896 deaths, while Plateau State saw 2,630 people killed during this period.

New Armed Groups Emerge

The security landscape has become increasingly complex with the emergence of new militant organizations, including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and Mamuda in Kwara State. These groups have joined existing threats like Boko Haram in terrorizing rural communities across Nigeria's northern regions.

Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, criticized the government's response to the crisis. "President Tinubu must fulfill his promises to Nigerians and urgently address the resurgence of the nation's endemic security crisis," Sanusi stated, noting that security measures implemented by the current administration have proven ineffective.

Villages Under Siege

The investigation revealed that 672 villages have been destroyed by bandits across three states, with entire communities forced to abandon their homes. In Zamfara State alone, 481 villages have been sacked while 529 villages remain under bandit control across 13 local government areas.

Daily attacks have become commonplace in Zamfara, with multiple incidents sometimes occurring within 24 hours. The state has recorded 273 deaths and 467 abductions over the past two years, with women and girls comprising the majority of kidnapping victims.

Systematic Destruction

The violence extends beyond killings to systematic destruction of infrastructure. In Benue State, attackers have deliberately targeted essential services, destroying boreholes, medical clinics, schools, grain reserves, and places of worship. All 23 local government areas in the state have experienced such attacks, with 148 villages completely destroyed across seven local governments.

The April 3 attack on Bokkos local government in Plateau State exemplified the brutality, with entire families murdered including children. Between March 27 and April 2, 2025, coordinated assaults targeted five communities simultaneously: Daffo, Gwande, Hurti, Manguna, and Ruwi.

Humanitarian Emergency Looms

The violence has displaced over 515,000 people across the affected regions, creating a looming humanitarian crisis. Benue State alone accounts for 450,000 internally displaced persons, while Plateau State has 65,000 displaced residents. Many communities have been forced to relocate multiple times as attackers target displacement camps and schools serving as shelters.

The displacement of farming communities threatens food security, as agricultural production has been severely disrupted. In Zamfara State's Dangulbi district, farmers watch their sweet potato harvests rot because bandits prevent transportation to markets. Many displaced persons have resorted to begging for survival.

Economic Extortion

Beyond physical violence, armed groups have implemented systematic extortion schemes, demanding tribute payments from rural communities via telephone. Residents face death threats if they fail to meet payment deadlines, creating a climate of economic terrorism alongside physical intimidation.

One resident from Maru local government in Zamfara State described the government's inadequate response: "The only relationship between us and the government is that they issue media statements after we are attacked and killed. When the next attack comes, they will issue another empty statement, while bandits escalate their atrocities."

International Obligations Unfulfilled

Under international human rights law, Nigeria's government has clear obligations to protect citizens' lives and ensure accountability for perpetrators. Amnesty International argues that authorities are systematically failing these responsibilities, creating a cycle of impunity that emboldens further violence.

The organization emphasized that time is running out as attacks continue to escalate daily across multiple states. The failure to hold suspected perpetrators accountable has created an environment where citizens feel completely unsafe, with insurgents and bandits increasingly bold in their operations.

Call for Action

Amnesty International demands immediate concrete action from Nigerian authorities to match their public commitments with effective security measures. The organization has monitored banditry attacks and farmer-herder conflicts since 2016, previously documenting government failures to protect rural communities in a 2020 investigation.

The current crisis represents a significant escalation of Nigeria's long-standing security challenges, with the emergence of new armed groups and the systematic nature of attacks marking a dangerous evolution in the country's instability. Without immediate and comprehensive intervention, the situation threatens to spiral into an even more severe humanitarian catastrophe.

There was widespread anger and frustration on Wednesday among parents and school owners in Taraba State after candidates of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) sat for their English paper late into the night, leaving the examination hall around midnight. 

The examination, which was initially scheduled for earlier in the day, was inexplicably delayed by the examination body until about 9:00 p.m., with no official explanation provided. 

The majority of the candidates, most of whom are teenagers, were visibly exhausted and wrote the paper under extreme stress.

Despite a heavy downpour, school owners and parents were forced to transport their wards to the examination venues at a time when many would normally be asleep.

A school proprietor who spoke with Vanguard confirmed that her students completed their exams at midnight. She expressed concern over the emotional and physical toll on the students, many of whom had been waiting in school throughout the day.

“As teenagers, they needed to be well-fed and in the right frame of mind to write such a critical paper. I had to take full responsibility for their welfare,” she said.

The proprietor also criticized the poor logistical arrangements by the examination body, revealing that she personally drove out in the rain at night to pick up exam supervisors to ensure the examination could eventually hold.

“I had to buy 30 litres of fuel to power the generator so the hall would be properly lit. This wasn’t part of our plan or budget, and we hope it doesn’t happen again.”

Vanguard gathered that while some students managed to return home around midnight, others who couldn’t had to spend the night in school.

The incident has drawn outrage from both parents and educators, who are calling on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to investigate the delay and ensure such a situation does not repeat itself.

Senate asks security agencies to increase surveillance around Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi borders

Senators yesterday linked the current upsurge in banditry and Boko Haram activities to the 2027 elections.
Speaking during discussions on a motion of urgent importance on the many cases of Boko Haram and arm banditry, sponsored by Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, PDP, Taraba North, both Senators Sunday Karimi, APC, Kogi West and Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central, urged the federal government to look deeper into cases of Boko Haram and the 2027 elections, saying a similar trend trailed the 2015 elections. 

Senator Karimi warned that there were similar cases before the 2015 election, where some individuals prepared for violence in case they lost at the polls.

“In the last two weeks alone, several individuals from my senatorial district, up to 20, 25, even 30, have been kidnapped. You may recall that the governor of Borno State recently stated that the resurgence of Boko Haram has been linked to some disgruntled elements within the country, including some individuals in the military, who are allegedly collaborating with the insurgents. We must ask: why? What is the motive behind this? What do they stand to gain?

“Mr. President, you recently constituted a committee on national security, and I believe this matter must be thoroughly investigated. We cannot allow these disgruntled elements to destabilize the country for selfish political interests.

“We saw similar signs before the 2015 elections, where some individuals prepared for violence in case they lost at the polls. The same pattern appears to be emerging now as we approach the 2027 elections. These attacks may not be random, they may be coordinated efforts by those who feel they are losing political relevance and seek to plunge the country into chaos as a strategy to regain power by force.

“The panel you’ve set up must work closely with our security agencies to expose anyone collaborating with terrorists. These people must be unmasked and held accountable,’’ Karimi said.

On his part, Senator Goje said: “ Mr. President, this isn’t an isolated incident. Crises are erupting across the country, from Karim Lamido to areas in Bauchi, such as Alkaleri, and beyond. We need to ask hard questions: Why now? Why this sudden surge in violence?

“I strongly support Senator Karimi’s call for a deeper investigation. We must determine whether these incidents are linked to the political buildup to 2027. We cannot dismiss this as mere coincidence. 

“Yesterday it was Lau. Before that, Alkaleri. Tomorrow, it could be any state in the federation. It’s shameful and deeply troubling that insecurity remains our nation’s greatest challenge.

“Yes, we acknowledge the efforts of the federal government and security agencies. But clearly, it is not enough. We must elevate national security to our top priority and act decisively.”

On his part, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who lamented the situation where people were killed on daily basis, said ‘’as a people, we must ensure that such tragedies, where over 70 people are killed in a single attack, never happen again

“May the souls of the departed rest in peace. I urge the security agencies to act on the Senate’s advice deploy more personnel, set up surveillance systems, and take proactive measures.”

Earlier, the Senate urged the security agencies to increase surveillance around the border of Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states.
It also called on state and local governments to be more proactive and resolute in combating insecurity in affected communities.

The Upper Chamber has asked the National Emergency Management Agency and the North-East Development Commission (NEMA & NEDC) to immediately, as a matter of urgency, provide necessary relief materials to the affected Communities. The Senate observed one minute silence in respect of those who lost their lives during the crisis.